That prompted policymakers to announce two separate stimulus measures targeted at boosting domestic demand.

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All of this stimulus had the eminently predictable effect of boosting domestic demand, driving economic growth, and lowering unemployment.

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Among the policies suggested by Mr Abe has been a call for stoking inflation as a means to boosting domestic demand.

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The tax reductions, say economists, indicate the government's efforts to drive growth by boosting domestic demand and could result in increased consumer spending.

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Rising income levels have resulted in a rise in domestic consumption, boosting demand for imports for items ranging from cars to electronic goods.

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It also reflects rising confidence that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's stimulus policies, dubbed "Abenomics, " will shake the economy out of its stupor, boosting earnings of companies geared to domestic demand.

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