ID :
201220
Sun, 08/14/2011 - 18:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/201220
The shortlink copeid
Maehara against reconstruction tax hike, unsure on DPJ leader bid+
TOKYO, Aug. 14 Kyodo -
Former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Sunday he is still undecided on whether to run in the coming ruling party leadership race to replace Prime Minister Naoto Kan, but clarified his reluctance to see a tax hike to finance reconstruction from the March disaster.
On the issue of whether to seek a grand coalition with major opposition parties to break the gridlock in the divided parliament, Maehara, speaking on a TV program, called for a time-limited coalition, for about a year, with the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and its ally the New Komeito party.
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan has a majority in the powerful House of Representatives but the opposition parties control the House of Coucillors.
Maehara's position on the proposed tax hike differs from that of Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who is seen as a leading candidate for next DPJ chief. But the two men share the stance of seeking cooperation from the LDP and New Komeito by inviting them into the Cabinet.
Noda reiterated on a different TV program the need to raise taxes for reconstruction from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in line with the government's initial proposal, which has been deferred due to opposition from within the DPJ.
He also signaled his willingness to let Japan join the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks, while calling for an early decision on whether to do so following postponement of the issue in June in the wake of the March earthquake and tsunami.
''We are one lap behind South Korea and China in terms of high-level economic partnerships,'' Noda said, adding, ''Moves since the change of power (to the DPJ-led administration in 2009) have been to catch up on the delay, and the TPP is within the range.''
On the possibility of a grand coalition, Noda indicated Saturday he would seek a coalition with major opposition parties, but former transport minister Sumio Mabuchi, who also plans to run in the race, called also Saturday for a ''realistic approach'' in light of negative reactions to the idea from the LDP and New Komeito, making the matter a major DPJ election issue.
Maehara, a former leader of the DPJ, said a grand coalition ''should be realized for about a year by deciding policies.''
But he said he has a ''clean slate'' on the question of whether he will run in the leadership contest to be held after Kan steps down, a move expected late this month. ''I would like to make a decision after consulting with my colleagues,'' he said.
Former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Sunday he is still undecided on whether to run in the coming ruling party leadership race to replace Prime Minister Naoto Kan, but clarified his reluctance to see a tax hike to finance reconstruction from the March disaster.
On the issue of whether to seek a grand coalition with major opposition parties to break the gridlock in the divided parliament, Maehara, speaking on a TV program, called for a time-limited coalition, for about a year, with the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party and its ally the New Komeito party.
The ruling Democratic Party of Japan has a majority in the powerful House of Representatives but the opposition parties control the House of Coucillors.
Maehara's position on the proposed tax hike differs from that of Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who is seen as a leading candidate for next DPJ chief. But the two men share the stance of seeking cooperation from the LDP and New Komeito by inviting them into the Cabinet.
Noda reiterated on a different TV program the need to raise taxes for reconstruction from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in line with the government's initial proposal, which has been deferred due to opposition from within the DPJ.
He also signaled his willingness to let Japan join the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks, while calling for an early decision on whether to do so following postponement of the issue in June in the wake of the March earthquake and tsunami.
''We are one lap behind South Korea and China in terms of high-level economic partnerships,'' Noda said, adding, ''Moves since the change of power (to the DPJ-led administration in 2009) have been to catch up on the delay, and the TPP is within the range.''
On the possibility of a grand coalition, Noda indicated Saturday he would seek a coalition with major opposition parties, but former transport minister Sumio Mabuchi, who also plans to run in the race, called also Saturday for a ''realistic approach'' in light of negative reactions to the idea from the LDP and New Komeito, making the matter a major DPJ election issue.
Maehara, a former leader of the DPJ, said a grand coalition ''should be realized for about a year by deciding policies.''
But he said he has a ''clean slate'' on the question of whether he will run in the leadership contest to be held after Kan steps down, a move expected late this month. ''I would like to make a decision after consulting with my colleagues,'' he said.
