It will be interesting to see whether the DPJ can get either of these proposals (tax hike and seat reduction) through the Diet. One possibility Rick doesn't mention is that Noda is trying to create leverage he can use to convince the Komeito to cooperate on the tax hike.
Komeito doesn't want a PR seat reduction or an early election.
The DPJ could offer to give up these priorities in exchange for Komeito support on the consumption tax hike... Of course, this would not do much to increase the DPJ's popularity, but if Noda were able to drive a wedge between the LDP and Komeito, that would be worth a lot for its electoral fortunes.

Len Schoppa