Finance Minister Bunmei Ibuki said Saturday the ruling Liberal Democratic Party needs to propose a scenario on how and when to ask for a tax hike before it starts campaigning for the next general election.
The election must be held by September 2009.
Although Ibuki carefully avoided making a direct reference to a consumption tax hike, his remarks apparently mean the party is likely to map out a schedule and determine an amount for the hike before the election.
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