Japan finance minister Aso: •Economic indicators improving since September •Employment, income, investment improving •Private consumption stalling •Appropriate decision to be made on sales tax hike •Government must continue with efforts on fiscal reform •if hike is delayed, government may need to consider if economic stimulus steps are needed – Aso is the finance minister. He wants the hike to go ahead. – USD/JPY up through 116 (just barely as I type) after knocking on the door there for the past hours Aso is the finance minister. He wants the hike to go ahead. (full story)