Takaichi may suspend food sales tax in election promise.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is eyeing a pledge to suspend the sales tax on food as part of her general election campaign next month. Reports say the decision is still being weighed, since scrapping the 8% levy could cost the government around ¥5 trillion ($30 billion) annually. A call to her office for a comment went unanswered.

Takaichi plans to dissolve parliament and call a snap election soon, aiming for public support despite market jitters over her spending plans. The election is tentatively set for February 8. Her Liberal Democratic Party is working with the Japan Innovation Party to potentially exempt food items from the consumption tax for two years, although details are still under wraps.

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