. >>> hello and welcome to nhk "newsline," i'm ross mihara in tokyo. japanese prime minister shinzo abe has officially announced his plan to postpone a consumption tax hike. it was scheduled for next april. now it's been pushed back by two and a half years. abe says the decision is necessary to avoid falling into another economic crisis. >> translator: today the session of the diet adjourned. the legislation and budget passed during the diet session will expand the benefit to those taking off from jobs. 100% support to infertility treatment, increase the benefits to single-parent households which will all help to realize a society in which all citizens participate actively. what we want to do is to put a brake on the trend of society with few children and create a society where everyone can find meaningful life to pave the way for a future where all citizens actively participate, we want to make a big step forward. i think this diet session was to make a challenge to the future. on the other hand, the economy of emerging countries and developing countr