1.   Higher interest rates can hurt corporate profits by driving up borrowing costs and crimping consumer spending on credit.

2.   The government raised the sales tax last year, a move that crimped consumer spending even more.

3.   The party has rejected arguments from Shinshinto and others that the increase will crimp consumer spending, considered a key to the economic recovery.

4.   And the continuing job woes are almost certain to crimp consumer spending, which makes up about half of the Japanese economy.

5.   Economist Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors agreed, but said the higher prices could eventually crimp consumer spending.

6.   Economist Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors agreed, but said the rise in prices could crimp consumer spending.