Economists are split over how long the government has to rein in the world¡¯s biggest debt burden, a Bloomberg News survey shows, adding to a debate on whether the government should keep ratcheting up the sales tax.

Eleven of 34 analysts said the government has four years or less to put fiscal policy on a sustainable path and avoid a crisis, while seven said it has more than 10 years.

BNP Paribas SA and Credit Suisse Group AG were among five saying it¡¯s too late to avert one. UBS AG says chances of a fiscal crisis are remote.