TOKYO—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet approved a $120 billion stimulus program, Japan’s largest in more than three years, citing the same global economic risks that have led central banks in the U.S. and Europe to cut interest rates. Mr. Abe’s plan is also aimed at healing a self-inflicted wound on the Japanese economy: the October increase in the national sales tax to 10% from 8%. Retail sales fell 7.1% in October from a year earlier, and car sales were particularly hard-hit, suggesting the tax may have led consumers...

Source: Wall Street Journal December 05, 2019 11:03 UTC