Japan's PM Abe unlikely to call double election, ruling out delay in tax hike - Nikkei Asian Review

Speculation that Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will dissolve the Lower House for a “double election” this summer have dissipated with officials in Abe's party leaning toward the conclusion that the Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition need not make such a gambit, according to Nikkei Asian Review. 

With double elections lookjng unlikely, the tax increase looks set to ahead as planned, unless there an economic shock like the 2008 global financial crisis. The prime minister has twice delayed raising the tax to 10% from 8% since 2014.