Prime Minister Taro Aso said Sunday that the fiscal 2009 budget is his top priority and he won't dissolve the Diet until the budget and related bills make it through the Diet.
Aso, holding his first news conference of the year, also reiterated the government's pledge to raise the unpopular consumption tax in three years if the economic conditions will allow it.
"It is clear that what we need to do is quickly implement economic measures," Aso told reporters at the prime minister's office. "First of all, we must have the budget and related bills pass immediately — I will not consider a dissolution until then."
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