Ruling Democrats may shelve plans for another hike in tobacco levies, this time to pay for earthquake reconstruction, due to parliamentary opposition, Reuters said in a story citing the Nikkei business daily.

Democrats needs the support of opposition Liberal Democrats and the New Komeito Party to pass legislation in a parliament where the opposition controls the upper house, Reuters reported. The ruling party is considering other revenue sources and will meet with opposition parties on excluding a hike in tobacco excise duties. Sources were not cited in the Nikkei story, according to Reuters.
Japan last hiked the tobacco tax in October, 2010. (pi)