It decided to increase the consumption tax step by step, reneging on its election commitment made late last year that "it would not raise the consumption tax in four years." It is now contemplating codifying it by law this year.

Infuriated by this, leaders of opposition parties issued statements one after another condemning the government for reneging on its promise made with the people.

Some forces of the ruling Democratic Party came out to sympathize with the moves of the opposition party side and rejected a series of reform policies which the prime minister considers as important including the consumption tax increase. They formed a new party after deserting the ruling party in protest against them, throwing it into mayhem.

Against the background of this confused political landscape there was a cabinet reshuffle in less than four months after its emergence.

Noda dismissed those who had been considered by ruling and opposition parties as trouble makers and appointed the man related to the opposition party as deputy prime minister. This is aimed to strengthen the function of the official residence of the prime minister and achieve compromise with opposition forces in a bid to carry out reform policies.

Under this situation the Liberal Democratic Party insisted it would not agree with an agreement on the consumption tax increase.

This led to intensified offensive and defensive warfare between the ruling and opposition parties and the widened division within the ruling camp and touched off growing discontent of the people. It is said there is likelihood that in case of failure to deliberate on the bill at the Diet on Jan. 24, this may lead to the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the general election.

Kozo Watanabe, top advisor to the Democratic Party, deplorably said that it is the first time that the politics is in such chaos.

According to results of the nationwide opinion poll released by Tokyo Shimbun, 85 percent of the respondents expressed discontent with the politics.

The politics in Japan is 15 per cent one, indeed.

Such poor shape of politics in Japan is deserved judgment and inescapable fate of the politicians of Japan who prolong their remaining days with scramble for power, forsaken by the people, as they are bereft of even elementary morality.

It is quite natural for Japan to be derided by the international community as an untrustworthy government and political pigmy.