The Japanese Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, has said that fiscal reform is “vital for a strong economy”. He was speaking to the press at Kantei, the Prime Minister’s headquarters.
Mr Kan added that a hike from 5 to 10% in consumer prices could take between two and three years at least to put in motion. The Premier stressed that fiscal reform “is a priority for the country”, alongside employment and growth, and he raised the spectre of the Greek crisis.