Japan's Aso: Will proceed with policy on assumption sales tax will go ahead

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Monday that the government will proceed with policy on assumption that the sales tax will be raised to 10% in October this year. 

The previous tax increase from 5% to 8% in April 2014 had hit consumers hard and triggered economic slowdown. 

Aso added further that the economic fundamentals are firm and consumption is expected to keep rising.