The consumption tax increase will hit every household in Japan hard, with many people’s financial future hanging on whether their wages rise enough to offset the hike's impact.

Consumption tax raise misdirected

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe confirms that the government will raise the sales tax from 5 to 8 percent beginning in April. But will the tax hike lead to an economic downturn

A welcome sign: Tantrums may be on the way out

by Danielle Demetriou

Every parent is all too familiar with The Tantrum. The screaming, the flailing arms, the angry head butting — and the timing (normally in the most inconvenient public place possible).

Triumph of Tokyo Olympic bid sends wrong signal to Japan's resurgent right

by Debito Arudou

International events undermine Japan's democracy. Shame on the International Olympic Committee for being a party to it.

Kohfukuji Temple: under divine protection

by C.B. Liddell

Tucked away behind the main museums in Ueno, the Tokyo University Art Museum may not be on most people's radar, but it is definitely one of the city's top museums in terms of curatorial quality.

Pirates roar past Reds

Francisco Liriano showed up at PNC Park on Tuesday afternoon in a suit with his suitcase packed for a trip St. Louis. The message reverberated through the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse. After 21 years away from the playoffs, it was time for the best story ...

Asia Pacific / Politics

Indian lawmakers held over unrest

LUCKNOW, INDIA – Police said Saturday they had arrested four state opposition lawmakers for allegedly inciting clashes between Hindus and Muslims that killed 48 people earlier this month.

The four, members of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and the regional Bahujan Samaj Party, were charged with delivering hate-filled speeches against Muslims in northern Uttar Pradesh state, senior police officer R.K. Vishwakarma said. The arrests were made Friday and Saturday.

Both sides have blamed the other for starting the violence in which guns, swords, stones or knives were used in the killings, police officer Arun Kumar said.

The clashes were sparked in and around the town of Muzaffarnagar by the killing of three villagers who had objected when a young woman was being harassed.

TOKYO (12 p.m.)

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Economy | ANALYSIS

Households to take hit from tax hike

by Tomoko Otake