The Chinesecabinet promised last weekend to deliver new reforms intended to steer China toward less reliance on exports and investment and greater dependence on domestic consumption for growth.
Chinese state media reported a government official as saying that the tax rise, which has been approved by the Chinesecabinet, "is intended to help promote the healthy development of the securities markets".
While Mr. Abe's cabinet members said they were visiting the shrine in a personal role, not as government officials, the Chinese government rejected that distinction.