However, under the gloomy environment, Japan's outlook improved marginally after several scheduled tax hikes.

在这样困难重重的国际环境中，日本的情况却在数次有计划的税率提升后有些许的改善。

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Meanwhile, the cliff that could break the economy's neck is the scheduled tax hikes.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: Bernanke's Cliffhanger

After the Senate passed a bill to extend some of the tax hikes that are scheduled to take effect at the beginning of the year, the action has moved to the House of Representatives, where Republicans are warning that they might reject the Senate proposal.

FORBES: The GOP House Is Dysfunctional By Design

If all those tax hikes take effect, as scheduled, the rich will be paying more anyway, reducing the potential haul from a new 30% minimum tax.

FORBES: The Real Reason The Buffett Rule Would Raise Only $47 Billion