Japan incoming PM works to keep coalition

Photo: AFP

TOKYO, Sept 23, 2008 (AFP) - Japan's premier-designate Taro Aso got down to business Tuesday by trying to ensure an alliance with his party's partner, which has been increasingly uneasy about the coalition as tough elections loom.

The brash conservative handily won the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election on Monday, fuelling speculation that he would call general elections as soon as late October.

The 68-year-old former foreign minister was to meet Tuesday with Akihiro Ota, head of New Komeito, to confirm the two-party coalition in a deadlocked parliament half controlled by a rising opposition.

New Komeito, Japan's third largest party, enjoys steady support from a Buddhist sect. It has been restless with Aso's predecessor Yasuo Fukuda, fearing he would lead the two parties to election defeat by weakening social welfare services.



Soon after his election, Aso pledged to take action to boost Asia's largest economy , saying he saw people suffering when he toured the countryside.

"The important thing is that we can't forget that now is a time of recession," Aso said Tuesday.

Aso is to appoint a new cabinet Wednesday afternoon soon after parliament votes him in to replace Fukuda, who abruptly quit on September 1 after months of sliding poll ratings.

Potential members of the new cabinet include Fiscal and Economic Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano, the runner-up in the LDP leadership vote who had accused Aso of fiscal irresponsibility by backing spending to boost the weak economy.

Aso may also provide key cabinet posts to former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, who finished last in the race, outspoken nationalist Shoichi Nakagawa and former education minister Takeo Kawamura, local media reported.

Newspapers urged Aso to swiftly map out concrete plans on the economy, which suffered its worst contraction in seven years last quarter amid the global slowdown, and to address a scandal over pesticide-tainted rice.

"Aso has to pick people who are trustworthy and immediately respond to such difficult issues in forming his cabinet," the Yomiuri Shimbun said in an editorial.

"As a national leader he needs to elucidate his policy goals and explain how he will achieve them," the best-selling daily said.

The LDP has been in power for all but 10 months since 1955. But the opposition has been making headway and is more confident than ever leading into general elections.

"The LDP presidential race was just an early skirmish. The real fight is general elections," said Tetsuro Kato, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.

"The LDP is faced with the toughest moment it has ever experienced," Kato said. "It used to survive by just switching the face of the party, but that doesn't appear to work anymore."

General elections do not need to be held until September next year, but Aso is widely expected to call them soon, hoping he can seize on initial popularity.

Aso is known as a charismatic if gaffe-prone campaigner. The fifth-generation politician has charmed audiences with his love of pop culture and comic books.

Some analysts speculate that Aso will try to call the election before the November 4 presidential election in the United States, fearing that a victory by Barack Obama in Japan's closest ally would buoy the opposition here.

Japan's main opposition Democratic Party has tried to associate itself with the Democrats across the Pacific, adopting Obama's mantra that the country needs "change."

Aso has pledged a close relationship with the United States and is expected to clash with the opposition by trying to extend a naval mission in the Indian Ocean supporting the "war on terror" in Afghanistan.

Aso has also said he wants friendly relations with China and South Korea, although he has caused controversy in the past by praising aspects of Japan's past colonialism.