BOJ's Harada: Sales tax hike could cause a recession / weaken inflation

Bank of Japan monetary policy board member Harada is speaking in Japan:

• Consumption remains weak despite rising household income
• Says underlying weakness in inflation could weigh on inflation expectations, delay acceleration of inflation
• BOJ must strengthen monetary easing without hesitation if
• Raising rates may not necessarily steepen yield
  curve
• Ending monetary easing would push down prices, worsen the economy
• Economy worsens, makes it hard to hit price goal