the tax rises havave been d dely twtwice. today,y, it goes up from 8% to % as tokyo seeks to raise e more rerevenue to repay debt t for is agaging pupulation. consumers s haveeeeen rushingg o make purchases ahead of the increase. >> consumers rushed stores before the sales tax hike kicked in. all services and goods, except essential food items cost a bit more as the tax increasess from eight to 10%. bed am gladad i purchased my when the tax is still at 8%. >> there is concern it will slow down consumer spending. attackme shinzo abe racace -- raised the tax from 5% to 8%. recession.ed into they have taken a number of , like a to mitigate series of rebates. >> the government has taken steps and adding more security measures, japan's economy could return to deflation. thehe government will use money collected to improve its social security system, adapted to its aging population and help ouout young families. free child education and childcare will start. >> the goal of the tax hike is to pay back japan's government debt, which