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 ...

World / Crime & Legal

Chile shuts officials’ luxury lockup

SANTIAGO – Chile’s president announced Thursday that he will close a luxury prison for dictatorship-era military officials who have been convicted of crimes against humanity, taking away their tennis courts, barbecues and a swimming pool.

The Cordillera prison, located on an army base, has provided officers jailed for killings, tortures and other abuses committed during Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s 1973-1990 dictatorship with far better living conditions than in Chile’s standard penitentiaries. The inmates live in small cabins, enjoy hot showers and get lots of natural light.

President Sebastian Pinera said his government decided to close Cordillera after taking into account “equality before law” as well as the security of the luxury lockup’s 10 inmates, who will now serve time at Punta Peuco, another special prison for human rights offenders.

TOKYO (12 p.m.)

News

Economy | ANALYSIS

Households to take hit from tax hike

by Tomoko Otake