Japan Press Weekly

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2008 September 24 - 30 TOP3 [POLITICS]

Aso Cabinet inaugurated

Liberal Democratic Party President Aso Taro was elected as prime minister on September 24 in the Diet. He immediately formed his cabinet.

The Aso Cabinet is made up of advocates of a consumption tax increase and a permanent law to enable the Self-Defense Forces to engage in overseas operations as well as pro-Yasukuni politicians who say Japan’s past war of aggression was a just war.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary, the government’s spokesman, is Kawamura Takeo, who promoted the adverse revision of the Fundamental Law of Education. He has actually stated on the record that the prewar Imperial Rescript on Education “has an important ethical relevance.”

Former vice director of the Defense Agency Hamada Yasukazu was appointed as defense minister. He urged former Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo to swiftly establish a permanent law to send the SDF abroad.

Former Defense Minister Ishiba Shigeru was named agricultural minister, who shared with Aso the need to get such a law enacted in the LDP presidential election.

Comment by JCP Chair Shii

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on the same day criticized Aso for failing to show any regret over the serious deadlock facing the LDP-Komei government or to present measures to overcome the deadlock.

At a news conference in the Diet, Shii pointed out that instead of proposing any specific measures, Aso only repeated that it will take three years to restore Japan’s economy, ignoring his responsibility in increasing poverty and social gaps by putting heavier burdens on citizens under the name of “structural reform” policies.

Shii also said that the new cabinet is already panicking over national policy-related issues.

Shii pointed out that while Aso acknowledged failure of the new medical insurance system for the elderly aged 75 and over by saying, “I don’t think we should distinguish patients based on their age”, the ruling LDP and Komei parties agreed to keep the system.