A report from a US think-tank speculates that the ruling Democratic Party of Japan could fragment over policy disagreements surround a hike in Japanese consumption tax. Lower house elections may come as soon as September, the consultants surmise. Lots of inside baseball here and I can’t say that I am fully conversant with all the issues, to be honest. What I do know is that stops in the 79.30/40 area are being tripped as we write with many nervous that their QE3 bets might be a bit too aggressive. (full story)