DHAKA: Come October, Japan is giving foreign tourists a new - and tax-free - incentive to visit.

Those buying confectionery, cosmetics and health goods will no longer have to pay tax on them from October 1, when these items are added to the country’s tax-free list.

After welcoming a record 10.3 million overseas visitors last year, the government wants to keep the cash registers ringing, but is concerned that the sales tax will dampen spending.

This went up from 5 percent to 8 percent last April, and is expected to rise again to 10 percent in October next year. Hence the tax-free move, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1206 HRS, AUG 25, 2014