Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has played down concerns over the feasibility of her plan to temporarily eliminate the 8% consumption tax within fiscal 2026, as the issue takes center stage ahead of a general election. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/25/japan/politics/japan-party-leaders-debate-lower-house-election/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #2026lowerhouseelection #sanaetakaichi #ldp #yoshihikonoda #cra #consumptiontax