"I am very confident that the tax issue will be solved to the satisfaction of FIFA," Blatter, head of soccer's world governing body said.
Blatter, speaking after meeting Japanese government and World Cup officials, was on a two-day visit to Japan to discuss the tax problem before flying on to South Korea, which is co-hosting the World Cup.
Japan has drawn criticism from FIFA for failing to finalise arrangements to make tickets and other World Cup-related revenue tax-free.
Past World Cup tournaments have received preferential tax treatment, and South Korea has already agreed to FIFA's request.
Japanese media have reported that the tax issue was behind the sudden postponement in September of ticket sales for the tournament.
Blatter said government ministers had given him assurances they would do their best to settle the issue.
Finance Minister Kiichi Miyazawa said on Tuesday, after talks with Blatter the government may implement an ad-hoc preferential tax scheme to meet FIFA's request.
On the issue of holding some of the 2002 matches in Stalinist North Korea Blatter said the "door was open", but added it was up to the two Koreas to decide.
"First, there must be political will. Sport can only follow later," he said.
Reuters
FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said he was confident the Japanese government and organisers of the 2002 World Cup will find a solution to tax problems that may have delayed the start of ticket sales.
