A confused state of affairs developed in the Diet this week. On Tuesday night, the Liberal Democratic Party decided to submit a no-confidence motion against the Noda Cabinet to the Lower House and a censure motion against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to the Upper House, despite the fact that the LPD, the Democratic Party of Japan headed by Mr. Noda and Komeito had cooperated to pass a bill to raise the consumption tax through the Lower House.

Earlier in the day, middle-sized and small parties, including People's Life First headed by former DPJ chief Ichiro Ozawa and Your Party, had submitted a no-confidence motion against the Noda Cabinet to the Lower House.

But on Wednesday night, Mr. Noda, LDP chief Sadakazu Tanigaki and Komeito chief Natsuo Yamaguchi held a meeting and agreed to pass the consumption tax hike bill as soon as possible. That means that the LDP has given up on the idea of submitting a no-confidence motion.