Japan’s Lower House Approves Sales Tax Hike LegislationJapan’s Lower House Approves Sales Tax Hike LegislationJapan’s Lower House Approves Sales Tax Hike LegislationJapan’s Lower House Approves Sales Tax Hike Legislation

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June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, right, has a few words with Minister of Foreign Affairs Koichiro Genba before voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. The House of Representatives passed the sales tax hike legislation with the backing of two main opposition parties by 363 to 96 votes. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

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June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, background center, and his Cabinet ministers await the result of voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

(Click on the image above to view the full gallery)

June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, right, has a few words with Minister of Foreign Affairs Koichiro Genba before voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. The House of Representatives passed the sales tax hike legislation with the backing of two main opposition parties by 363 to 96 votes. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

(Click on the image above to view the full gallery)

June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, background center, and his Cabinet ministers await the result of voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

(Click on the image above to view the full gallery)

June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, right, has a few words with Minister of Foreign Affairs Koichiro Genba before voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. The House of Representatives passed the sales tax hike legislation with the backing of two main opposition parties by 363 to 96 votes. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

(Click on the image above to view the full gallery)

June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, background center, and his Cabinet ministers await the result of voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

(Click on the image above to view the full gallery)

June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, right, has a few words with Minister of Foreign Affairs Koichiro Genba before voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. The House of Representatives passed the sales tax hike legislation with the backing of two main opposition parties by 363 to 96 votes. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)

(Click on the image above to view the full gallery)

June 26, 2012, Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, background center, and his Cabinet ministers await the result of voting on the sales tax hike legislation during a plenary session of the Diets lower house in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Photo by Natsuki Sakai/AFLO)