This article details Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba's firm opposition to calls for a sales tax cut despite economic pressures and an approaching election, featuring commentary from Dr. Sota Kato, a research director at The Tokyo Foundation, who notes that Japanese voters have historically not been receptive to "election-oriented carrots" like direct financial handouts.

"With his future on the line, Japan PM Ishiba stands firm against calls to cut sales tax," The Straits Times (for subscribers only)
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/with-his-future-on-the-line-japan-pm-ishiba-stands-firm-against-calls-to-cut-sales-tax

Profile of Research Director Sota Kato
https://www.tkfd.or.jp/en/experts/detail.php?id=29