2nd Koizumi Cabinet inaugurated

Commenting on Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's second Cabinet which was inaugurated on September 22, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Ichida Tadayoshi stated, "The new lineup will only worsen misgovernment. The JCP will present its arguments in the coming extraordinary Diet session and make efforts to achieve a JCP advance in the general election."

Controversial Takenaka Heizo retained his position as state minister for economic, fiscal policy and financial services. Sakaguchi Chikara (Komei Party), an advocate of adverse revisions of social security services, also remained in his post as the minister of Health, Labor and Welfare. Newly-appointed Finance Minister Tanigaki Sadakazu declared that he would encourage discussions on a consumption tax rate increase.

Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko and Chief Cabinet Secretary Fukuda Yasuo, both promoters of diplomacy subservience to the United States, remain in the Cabinet.

Ishiba Shigeru, who has been pressured by the Unites States to implement the country's missile-defense program, continues to be the director-general of the Defense Agency. Inoue Kiichi of the New Conservative Party was appointed as the newly-created state minister in charge of the wartime legislation to expedite the plan to create new legislation on public control in the event of U.S. wars.

Former Vice-minister Kawamura Takeo, a well-known admirer of the past Imperial Rescript on Education, was appointed as minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology. He has expressed willingness to adversely revise the present Fundamental Law of Education. (end)