Officials from Japan's ruling coalition urged lawmakers on Tuesday to prepare for a possible early election, and a government source said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was likely to delay a tax hike that could derail a promised economic recovery. A second government source said one option being considered was for Abe to call a snap poll before the end of the year if he decides to delay a planned but unpopular sales tax increase to 10 percent from next October. No election for parliament's lower house need be held until 2016, but political insiders said Abe might decide to try to lock in his mandate before his voter ... (full story)