Noda hints at election if tax hike bill is not passed

brilliant move! promise elections after the opposition and komeito agree with you on hiking taxes. that was a seriously smart move.

Japanese politicians are so busy looking out for number one that every time they open their mouth's they step in number two! Dear Mr Prime Minister, now that you've "hinted" at an election guess what, that bill isn't going to pass and the LDP is going to make 100% sure of it. They've got you right where they wanted you, in a tight corner and willing to cave in to thier demands. Get ready for the white gloves, useless drivel speeches, and annoying sounds trucks once more as the revolving doors of the PM's office get ready for another spin! Who will be the next lucky winner of Japan's "PM for a year or less" contest?

Not much incentive for the LDP weasels to co-operate now, is there?

Noda cannot hold an election until he fixes the disparity in the number of voters per seat. If he does not do that any election will be unconstitutional and invalid.

Noda is trying to fall on his sword.

He can try to dissolve the house, but he'll realize it was a bad move when all of his cronies lose. People never vote for higher taxes, so his only hope for that is to appeal to the other side with budget cuts first. He's going to lose either way, so why bother?

The moment Hashimoto is waiting for. Maybe....

There is also one very large presence lurking in the not so far background that Noda needs to keep in check as well. Ozawa faces losing all his children if Noda calls an election and that will destroy the DJP.

It isnt just about the tax issue, although that is main.

Noda, why don`t you discuss things like this with your wife next time before you say them out loud in public?

And rather than begging the LDP, why don`t you just hold a referendum on the tax hike. I think, the Japanese people have more common sense than most of these corrupt LDP politicians.

Rhino - there has already been a referendum on the sales tax hike, in the previous lower house election, where the Japanese public overwhelmingly rejected the LDP's proposal to raise the sales tax within the next term, and installed the DPJ by a landslide promising to reform out of control government administration and spending first, and not to raise the sales tax during their first term.

Thank heavens the DPJ got in, and not the LDP, eh?

i hope it doesn't pass as the dpj will get voted out. as for the pension money, they should take it from the government employee pension fund. they have a lot of money. surprise surprise

“We have to do what is best for the Japanese people,” he said.

Yeah right. Raising taxes is best for the Japanese people. This guy is a loser.

He has never heard of a VAT?

What a pathetic fat loser.

The only benefit of letting Ozawa be PM would be to finally bring a welcome end to his career.

I do not believe any of Ozawa's populist talk.

an election would be very unpredictable for all concerned, so that may spur the LDP to agree with Noda's stance on the low-income pensioners program.

if the LDP goes against Noda on that, they are history with the elderly voters. and rightfully so.

and if Noda has to call elections, that is Ozawa's curtain call, basically. The DJP either rally's behind Ozawa, or disintegrates.

I have not been very happy with Noda's tenure, but at least he is making his final stand in somewhat principled and honorable manner.

It is an interesting gambit, because he either wins some concessions from the LDP, or passes the baton to Ozawa in a somewhat wide open election.