Naoto Kan: tax reform vital for strong finances

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, stressing that tax reform was vital to repair the country's tattered finances, told a news conference that full-fledged debate on a sales tax rise would begin after a July 11 election.

Kan also said he expects fiscal reform to be a focus of discussions at upcoming G8 and G20 summits in Canada.

Kan, who has made fiscal reform a top priority since taking office this month, stunned listeners last week when he said doubling the 5 percent sales tax was an option to stave off a Greek-style crisis.