Japan firms say October tax hike impact.......>

JAPAN: Japan firms say October tax hike impact milder than 2014 increase (RTRS

Poll)

- More than two-thirds of Japanese companies are feeling less pain from a tax

increase last month than from the previous increase five years ago, which

precipitated a recession, a Reuters poll found. The results of the Reuters

Corporate Survey support the view of the government and Bank of Japan that the

economy looks likely to avoid a swoon in private consumption, thanks to steps

taken to offset how the tax increase would affect the public. Still, the

overwhelming majority of Japanese companies remain cautious about boosting

spending, with many planning to keep wages and hiring flat or even reduce them.