Sales of gold bars are soaring in Japan as buyers rush to invest in the precious metal ahead of next week’s controversial sales tax rise from 5 to 8pc. A rush of buyers are seeking short-term profits by investing in gold, which is subject to sales taxes, with the goal of making an instant 3pc profit after next week’s hike. A recent decline in market prices has fuelled investor interest further, with retail prices in Japan of 4,590 yen per gram earlier this week, compared to 4,769 yen on March 14, according to the Nikkei. Testimony to the sudden popularity of gold ingots are the growing queues of customers at Tanaka ... (full story)