Learning Objective: This is a news reading and discussion class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to develop critical thinking skills.

Story Proper


Yoshihiko Noda has staked his political career on the controversial sales tax.



Japan's parliament has passed a contentious bill to double the country's sales tax by 2015, a move that could spark an early election.

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has argued the rise will help rein in Japan's huge public debt and rising welfare costs.

However, some say the tax will severely hurt consumer spending.

Opposition parties supported the bill on the condition that Mr. Noda set an election date.

This was the final hurdle for Mr. Noda who has fought to bring the tax to 10% since he came into power in September 2011 as part of a financial reconstruction.

It has led to disagreements even within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, with more than 50 lawmakers opposed to the tax leaving the party...

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Discussion Proper


Tax: Talk about tax.
What can you say about it? Is it necessary? How come?


Taxable: Which services and goods should be taxed?
How much do you think should we be paying for each category?


Doubling the Sales Tax: Are you in favor of it? Why or why not?
List advantages and disadvantages. How would this affect you personally?


Put one's self in someone's shoes: How do you understand this idiom?
What would you do if you were in Mr.Noda's place? Do you support him or not?