Japanese Opposition parties refuse to hike consumption tax

The main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito Party on Tuesday resisted calls from the ruling Democratic Party of Japan to cooperate on passing a bill to raise the consumption tax from 5% to 10%.

On Monday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reshuffled his cabinet, replacing two censured ministers, in an attempt to gain the support of the opposition in getting the bill passed before the current session of the Diet ends on June 21.

Sources
Japan Today