TOKYO : Japan is set to kick off discussions on raising the basic tax-free income allowance in effective permanent tax cuts worth up to $51 billion, a step that could also help ease constraints on part-time workers amid intensifying labour shortages. The government's plan, which will be mentioned in an economic stimulus package to be announced on Friday, comes as the ruling coalition yielded to a push by a key opposition party whose cooperation is crucial for the coalition to stay in power. If