Today's top news: DPJ members bolt party over Noda tax plan

*** Japan Times E-mail News Service ***
__________ Thursday, December 29, 2011 ________________

TODAY'S TOP STORIES
=========================

[NATIONAL NEWS]
DPJ members bolt party over Noda tax plan
Nine Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers resign in protest of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's policies after a plan is raised to hike the consumption tax.
[MORE] ->
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229a1.html

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[NATIONAL NEWS]
DPJ panel wrestles with tax hike plan
Executive members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's tax panel propose a plan to double the sales tax by 2015, sparking a revolt.
[MORE] ->
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229a2.html

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[NATIONAL NEWS]
JTA ticket giveaway scrapped
The Japan Tourism Agency's plan to offer 10,000 free round-trip tickets to foreign bloggers is scuttled after the Finance Ministry rejects its \1.18 billion funding request.
[MORE] ->
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229a4.html

[More news]
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news.html

OTHER NEWS
=========================

[NATIONAL NEWS]
Psychological ailments rise in quake-hit areas
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229a5.html

[NATIONAL NEWS]
Despite Korean tensions, Genba focused on changing Myanmar
TAKUYA KARUBE
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229a6.html

[NATIONAL NEWS]
Skilled foreigners to get grades, perks
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229a7.html

[NATIONAL NEWS]
Japan, U.S., Seoul eye talks on North
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229a8.html

[NATIONAL NEWS]
Few options for left-behind parents even if Hague OK'd
MASAMI ITO
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111229f1.html

BUSINESS
=========================

[BUSINESS NEWS]
Carmakers banking on incentives
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229a1.html

[BUSINESS NEWS]
Job market recovery loses steam
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229a2.html

[BUSINESS NEWS]
Panel suggests drastic reform of utility system
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229a3.html

[BUSINESS NEWS]
U.S. urges end to forex interventions
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229a4.html

[BUSINESS NEWS]
Popular compact boosts Toyota in India market
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229a5.html

[BUSINESS NEWS]
Firms' credit ratings suffer in year of crises
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229n1.html

[BUSINESS NEWS]
Deflation's grip returns as production, retail sales slide
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229n2.html

[BUSINESS NEWS]
Renault-Nissan eyes boosting stake in Russia's AvtoVAZ
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20111229n3.html

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OPINION
=========================

[JT EDITORIAL]
Unprepared for what happened
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20111229a1.html

[OPINION]
2011 was a dangerous year for world's bad guys
RICHARD N. HAASS
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20111229a1.html

[OPINION]
Disappointed with Obama? It's not all his fault
CESAR CHELALA
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20111229cc.html

[OPINION]
North Korea's Khrushchev
GREGORY CLARK
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20111229gc.html

[More Op-Ed stories]
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion.html

FEATURES
=========================

[ART]
Kaori Watanabe: Preparing for the trials of adulthood
MATTHEW LARKING
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fa20111229a1.html

[MUSIC]
Shonen Knife celebrates 30 years
DANIEL ROBSON
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20111229a1.html

[MUSIC]
Best of 2011: Vampillia "Rule the World/Deathtiny Land"
SHAWN DESPRES
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20111229l1.html

[MUSIC]
Best of 2011: Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto "Summvs"
MARK JARNES
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20111229l2.html

[MUSIC]
Best of 2011: Shinpei Ruike 4 Piece Band "Sector b"
SEAN SMITH
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20111229l3.html

[MUSIC]
Best of 2011: 0.8 Byo to Shogeki "1-bo 2-bo 3-bo 4-bo 5-bo 6-bo Toyo no Techno"
DAISUKE KIKUCHI
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20111229l4.html

[THEATER]
Kabuki returns to its Asakusa home for special New Year's performances
REI SASAGUCHI
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ft20111229a1.html

[For features]
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life.html
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/entertainment.html

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SPORTS
=========================

[BASEBALL]
Marines reach deal with Whitesell
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sb20111229j1.html

[SOCCER]
Spurs maintain pace
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sc20111229a1.html

[AMERICAN FOOTBALL]
Brady, Rodgers named starting QBs on Pro Bowl rosters
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sf20111229a1.html

[GOLF]
Legendary golfer Sugihara dies at 74
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sg20111229a1.html

[ICE HOCKEY]
Red Wings too much for Blues in come-from-behind victory
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sh20111229a1.html

[BASKETBALL]
Cole's late hot streak lifts Heat over Celtics
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sk20111229a1.html

[BASKETBALL]
Sapporo Yamanote captures another title
KAZ NAGATSUKA
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sk20111229a2.html

[BASKETBALL]
Grouses escape Yokohama with slim victory
ED ODEVEN
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sk20111229b1.html

[SPORTS]
Hussey, Ponting stand tall on third day of test
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sp20111229a1.html

[SPORTS]
Kato, Kodaira earn national titles
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sp20111229w1.html

[More Sports Stories]
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports.html
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/sumo.html

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