UPDATE 1-Japan's Ota says tax hike may not be needed

(Reuters) - "If we cut spending as much as possible and if we can boost economic growth as much as possible, we may be able to achieve primary balance without raising tax," Ota said in a speech, without elaborating.

Many economists expect the Japanese government will need to raise consumption tax by 2011-2012 to finance its growing spending on pension and other social security services.


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