A storm of controversy is raging over Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's Feb. 7 proposal to impose a tax on major banks operating in the metropolis. Despite strong objections raised by central government officials and bankers, Ishihara said he was determined to implement the proposal, which he said was carefully crafted to rescue the Tokyo metropolitan government from a financial crisis.
In Mie Prefecture, Gov. Masayasu Kitagawa on Feb. 22 withdrew support for Chubu Electric Co.'s plan to build a nuclear power plant in the prefecture. Chubu Electric later abandoned the plan.
The proposed Tokyo tax is expected to be approved by the metropolitan assembly next month, with the support of both the ruling and opposition forces.