Newly formed Fukuda Cabinet clings to policy framework rejected by the public

   Liberal Democratic Party President Fukuda Yasuo on September 25 assumed office as prime minister and formed an LDP-Komei Party cabinet in which he retains most of the ministers of the former Abe cabinet.

   While the House of Representatives nominated Fukuda as prime minister, the House of Councilors nominated Democratic Party President Ozawa Ichiro. It was the first time in nine years that the nomination of the two Houses of the Diet did not match.

   In order to deal with the issue of extending Maritime Self-Defense Force refueling operations in the Indian Ocean, the crucial issue in the current extraordinary Diet session, Fukuda appointed former Foreign Minister Machimura Nobutaka as Chief Cabinet Secretary, Former Defense Minister Komura Masahiko as foreign minister, and former Defense Agency Director General Ishiba Shigeru as defense minister. They in the past held the posts of either foreign minister or defense minister and have advocated continuation of the MSDF operation.

   Fukuda retained ministers in charge of economic policies -- Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Amari Akira, Regulatory Reform Minister Watanabe Yoshimi, and Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Ota Hiroko -- despite the fact that in the July Upper House election, voters delivered a verdict against the “structural reform” policies that the Abe cabinet implemented.

   Fukuda also retained Finance Minister Nukaga Fukushiro who has stuck to the Abe cabinet policy of making a decision on a consumption tax hike by the end of March, 2008.

JCP Shii criticizes Fukuda cabinet

   The Japanese Communist Party Dietmembers’ group on the same day held its general meeting in which Chair Shii Kazuo made a speech.

   Regarding the LDP presidential election process, Shii stated, “The LDP has deeply degenerated, and its life as a governing party is coming to an end.” Pointing out that in the LDP election, no serious reflection or discussions were made in response to the public rejection to the LDP-Komei Party policy framework, Shii stated, “The LDP conducted its presidential election without giving consideration to its crucial problem. The LDP as a governing party is on the verge of collapse.”

   Although Fukuda has failed to put forward specific policies during the presidential election, the course he will take is clear, Shii pointed out.

   Firstly, Fukuda has kept saying the course will not change as far as the “structural reform” policies are concerned. Fukuda is putting up the slogan, “Building a country with hope and freedom from anxiety.” However, Shii pointed out that the “structural reform” policy line has deprived young people of their “hope” and the elderly of their “freedom from anxiety” by increasing unstable jobs, imposing heavier tax burdens, and cutting back welfare services. “As the Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Koizumi government, Mr. Fukuda pushed ahead with this policy. Without any reflection, he is resorting to rhetoric,” Shii stated.

   Secondly, Fukuda is clinging to assisting the U.S. in its retaliatory war even by going as far as submitting a new bill. Fukuda was a minister in charge of the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law and worked to give unqualified support to the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Furthermore, when the LDP drew up its draft Constitution, Fukuda played a key role as a subcommittee chief in charge of security affairs in adversely revising Article 9.

   “Because his predecessor, Mr. Abe, was ultra hawkish, the media tends to describe Mr. Fukuda as a dove. However, Mr. Fukuda is also a member of pro-constitutional revision forces and subservient to the U.S., and there is no basic difference between Mr. Fukuda and his predecessor.”

   Shii stated, “The Fukuda government will inevitably end in political stalemate sooner or later,” and expressed his determination to force it to hold a general election as early as possible.

   “The confrontation in this Diet session is significant because it will turn into a confrontation in the next general election,” said Shii. He stressed the importance to put forward a new political framework, a fundamental strategy of breaking the deadlock, in accordance with the JCP Program as well as its policy of remaking Japan, while making efforts to force changes in government policies.

   “Only when we make the utmost effort in these two aspects, can the JCP prove its true worth. In order to secure the JCP’s advance, let us make every effort in this session of the Diet,” Shii stated.                                      - Akahata, September 26, 2007