TOKYO —

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is considering a quick trip to London to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 27, government sources confirmed Tuesday.

Noda has indicated that he would like to be present at the opening ceremony which is expected to attract dignitaries from 120 countries, TBS quoted government sources as saying.

However, Noda’s attendance will depend on progress in deliberations to get a contentious bill to raise the consumption tax enacted by the Diet.

• 

  spinningplates at Jul. 10, 2012 - 12:11PM JST

  I'd quite like to attend too, but I don't have Tax revenue at my disposal.

• 

  basroil at Jul. 10, 2012 - 12:38PM JST

  If it means no tax increase and instead people focusing on government waste and cutting pensions, have him go. The less he's here to support abuse of the lower classes the better off people will be.

• 

  smithinjapan at Jul. 10, 2012 - 12:51PM JST

  Can I get a free ride there on the tax payer's dime as well?

• 

  marcelito at Jul. 10, 2012 - 01:30PM JST

  Yes, it is absolutely necessary...the games can hardly start without him.

• 

  ExportExpert at Jul. 10, 2012 - 02:05PM JST

  Wasteful, self serving and dont forget the greenies wont like the green houses gases he will create by doing this.

  Noda you Noddy is this trip really necessary?

• 

  gogogo at Jul. 10, 2012 - 02:24PM JST

  Get back to work!

• 

  Probie at Jul. 10, 2012 - 03:24PM JST

  Yeah, because there's nothing that needs his attention in Japan. He can go off on a trip to London, paid for by us. Everything is fine here.

• 

  wackness at Jul. 10, 2012 - 03:33PM JST

  I wonder if he'll tell Japanese athletes to try their best...and never give up.

• 

  philsandoz at Jul. 10, 2012 - 03:38PM JST

  No disrespect to your headline, but going anywhere else but London to attend the Olympics opening ceremony, would certainly be a waste of the PM's time, not to mention the taxpayers' money

• 

  Liza Ubuyashiki at Jul. 10, 2012 - 07:08PM JST

  no way for Noda

• 

  tmarie at Jul. 10, 2012 - 11:00PM JST

  Why? Has all the fanfare with everyone in Japan paid by us not been enough??

• 

  PT24881 at Jul. 11, 2012 - 12:27AM JST

  Come on ! The PM is a representative of Japan and he should be there to support J sportsmen & sportswomen. The key word is 'quick' trip -- His mindset should be understood as ' I knew that you guys will make noise, I'm just showing up in a short roundtrip and swear will not stay more than one night in hotel..' fair enough ?

• 

  Pukey2 at Jul. 11, 2012 - 12:31AM JST

  Will he still be PM by then?

• 

  Ninoh at Jul. 11, 2012 - 02:03AM JST

  Nah, don't go there, you need exercise.

• 

  Jimizo at Jul. 11, 2012 - 05:11PM JST

  I hear the opening ceremony will include idyllic views of the English countryside. Noda will be used to seeing sheep bleating and milling about aimlessly - he gets that everyday in the Diet.

• 

  LostinNagoya at Jul. 13, 2012 - 12:32PM JST

  To you all complaining: I bet if you could, you would go to London with all your family, dogs and cats. Let the man alone, his downfall is coming his way, let him have some fun while he can.