Noda calls for ending ultra-easy monetary policy

She's right, but there is no way in hell the LDP is going to vote for a female president to lead them and by default become PM.

It takes wage hikes to generate personal consumption,

There is a cart or two that comes before those hefty wage hikes.

Why would wages go up, in a sustainable manner over time?

Do those conditions apply in Japan?

Whats the plan Seiko?

The premise here is that we should be concerned about the well being of the regional banks ? Really?

I am not against Noda but...

I believe Japan would be perfectly well-served with only about 12-24 banks, including internet-only based operators.

Let the regional banks die / be amalgamated with others. 

A lot of the banks are nothing than vestiges of a long-gone era. 

Just look at some of the bank names here - the "16 bank", "82 bank", "104 bank". 

http://www.chiginkyo.or.jp/app/story.php?story_id=84

Ridiculous! 

These banks only continue to exist because Japan is a country that hates change.

"Rather than focusing narrow-mindedly on achieving the price target, wouldn't it be better to go back to the approach of prioritising economic recovery accompanied by 2 percent inflation?" Noda told Reuters.

Really?

Isn't the Bank of Japan doing that? Japan's gdp has grown 5 straight years. Abe and Kuroda are doing a great job. They are great team! Keep them!