Wall Street Journal (January 6)
“Looks like it’s almost time for another change of leader in Tokyo, which is becoming the Italy of Asia.” The WSJ makes this prediction based on Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s divisive attempts to force Ichiro Ozawa out of the DPJ and increase the consumption tax. The newspaper also makes another unwelcome international comparison. The next Prime Minister will “have to tackle Japan’s problems before unpleasant outcomes are forced upon it. Without cuts to entitlements and tax cuts to promote growth, Tokyo will continue turning into Athens.”
“Looks like it’s almost time for another change of leader in Tokyo, which is becoming the Italy of Asia.” The WSJ makes this prediction based on Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s divisive attempts to force Ichiro Ozawa out of the DPJ and increase in the consumption tax. The newspaper also makes another unwelcome international comparison. The next Prime Minister will “have to tackle Japan’s problems before unpleasant outcomes are forced upon it. Without cuts to entitlements and tax cuts to promote growth, Tokyo will continue turning into Athens.”
