51.   The agency said, however, spending levels generally were not expected to rise substantially ahead of a consumption tax rise from three percent to five percent in April.

52.   The agency said spending would not rise so much before a consumption tax rise from three percent to five percent in April.

53.   The agency was cautious about business sentiment ahead of the tax rise.

54.   The auto sector has also seen buoyant demand ahead of the tax rise.

55.   The calls for tax rises are likely to become louder over the next few weeks as Brown prepares to deliver his post-election special budget at the beginning of July.

56.   The decline was blamed on public resentment towards a planned consumption tax rise, the poll said.

57.   The LDP and the Sakigake back the planned tax rise.

58.   The president called for tax rises and for a cut in the amount of bank notes in circulation.