TOKYO -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's plan to channel a portion of consumption tax revenue to education spending raises a red flag as it signals an about-face on the government's commitment to improving Japan's fiscal health.
In a Sept. 25 news conference, Abe announced plans for generous investment in youth, including making early childhood education completely free and accelerating plans to expand child care capacity in an effort to clear chronically clogged waiting lists.
