Staff writer
Amid rising domestic and international pressure to boost expenditures and revive stagnant consumption, time is running short for the government to announce a much-awaited pump-priming package.
Even as the fiscal 1998 state budget bills neared passage by the Lower House, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, who has refused to announce a departure from his fiscal austerity policy, remained quiet about a widely expected extra budget, which would include new expenditures to boost the economy.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.