Exclusive-Japan eyes tax breaks for non-core business sales in governance reform push, sources say

TOKYO, Aug 25 : Japan's government is considering tax breaks on gains from sales of non-core businesses, a move that could accelerate long-delayed corporate restructuring and spur industry consolidation, two people with knowledge of the matter said.The plan would remove a major obstacle to companies shedding non-core businesses and redeploying capital into growth areas, in what could become one of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's most significant initiatives to advance corporate governance reform.Under the plan, roughly 30 per cent corporate tax on gains from sales of non-core businesses would be deferred indefinitely, provided companies reinvest the proceeds within several years in acquisitions aligned with their core operations and commit to investing in those businesses, one of the sourc