ID :
21611
Sun, 09/28/2008 - 00:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/21611
The shortlink copeid
FOCUS: Aso debuts at U.N. amid concerns over power at home
NEW YORK, Sept. 26 Kyodo - New Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso made his debut at the United Nations only one day after taking office Wednesday, hoping that his appearance on the high-profile diplomatic stage will help him get off to a flying start.
Aso, 68, squeezed a half-day stay in New York in the busy time after his
inauguration, seeing a need to do something that could make headlines and
strengthen his political power base, which experts say is not as strong as is
widely believed.
Succeeding unpopular Yasuo Fukuda, Aso braced for a series of the first media
polls on his public support rate amid political circumstances under which an
early general election seems inevitable.
On arriving in New York, Aso heard bad news before he started to address the
U.N. General Assembly. His Cabinet's approval rate failed to reach 50 percent
in several polls by media organizations, figures lower than initial ratings for
Fukuda.
But Aso tried to downplay the results partly because many of them indicated
supporters of his dominant Liberal Democratic Party outnumbered those for the
main opposition Democratic Party of Japan.
''One should evaluate me after my work gets in full swing...I'm not very much
interested in a support rate'' at this moment, Aso said.
In the U.N. General Assembly Hall, Aso tried to impress people in Japan by
becoming the country's first leader since 2005 to address the annual U.N. event
and told other member countries that Japan commits itself to various global
challenges.
As a former Japanese foreign minister, Aso tried to convince the audience that
it meant a lot to him that he was able to come to the session all the way from
Japan soon after becoming the Japanese leader.
''I hope that through my remarks thus far you can appreciate why I have taken
such pains to join you here today. There are numerous points I have been
wanting to raise,'' Aso said to applause in the hall.
Aso also promoted close ties with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in
bilateral talks with the world body's leader from South Korea on the sidelines
of the U.N. session.
But only hours after that, Aso had to jump onto a government jet on his way
back home to prepare for the first policy speech he is to deliver at parliament
Monday.
As a premier, Aso is faced with mounting bread-and-butter issues such as
blunders in the pension system, food safety following the cases of tainted rice
distribution and financial concerns over the bankruptcy of major U.S.
investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.
Political commentators say that Aso's presence in the United Nations will
enable him to keep his approval rate at around 50 percent for the time being
but Aso himself knows the so-called ''inauguration gift'' for the new prime
minister will not last long.
Aso became prime minister at a time when the first general election in three
years seems inevitable in the coming months. Observers are thus closely
watching whether he dissolves the House of Representatives for a snap election.
Naoto Nonaka, an expert on comparative politics at Gakushuin University,
suggested Aso's political power base is not as strong as is widely believed
compared with Junichiro Koizumi, a charismatic prime minister who took the helm
from 2001 to 2006.
Aso has taken key posts in the LDP and the government such as LDP secretary
general, the party's No. 2 man, and internal affairs and communications
minister.
But he is a latecomer in power struggles in the LDP and heads a small party
faction. It was not until he ran for the LDP presidential election in 2001 that
the public began to know about him.
''Today, many know that Mr. Aso is a joyful and interesting man...But he has
yet to clearly show the public long-term political visions,'' Nonaka said.
Aso, a businessman-turned-lawmaker, enlisted the support of young people as he
is known as a fan of Japanese pop culture including ''manga'' comic books.
He won a landslide victory in last week's LDP presidential election, defeating
four contenders.
''I think Mr. Aso's popularity could be temporary and even Mr. Aso does not
know whether those supporting him will do likewise in the future,'' Nonaka
said.
While reports quoting unnamed lawmakers outside Aso's faction have floated
dates such as Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 or 9 for a possible general election, Aso has
kept quiet on the matter.
Aso, 68, squeezed a half-day stay in New York in the busy time after his
inauguration, seeing a need to do something that could make headlines and
strengthen his political power base, which experts say is not as strong as is
widely believed.
Succeeding unpopular Yasuo Fukuda, Aso braced for a series of the first media
polls on his public support rate amid political circumstances under which an
early general election seems inevitable.
On arriving in New York, Aso heard bad news before he started to address the
U.N. General Assembly. His Cabinet's approval rate failed to reach 50 percent
in several polls by media organizations, figures lower than initial ratings for
Fukuda.
But Aso tried to downplay the results partly because many of them indicated
supporters of his dominant Liberal Democratic Party outnumbered those for the
main opposition Democratic Party of Japan.
''One should evaluate me after my work gets in full swing...I'm not very much
interested in a support rate'' at this moment, Aso said.
In the U.N. General Assembly Hall, Aso tried to impress people in Japan by
becoming the country's first leader since 2005 to address the annual U.N. event
and told other member countries that Japan commits itself to various global
challenges.
As a former Japanese foreign minister, Aso tried to convince the audience that
it meant a lot to him that he was able to come to the session all the way from
Japan soon after becoming the Japanese leader.
''I hope that through my remarks thus far you can appreciate why I have taken
such pains to join you here today. There are numerous points I have been
wanting to raise,'' Aso said to applause in the hall.
Aso also promoted close ties with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in
bilateral talks with the world body's leader from South Korea on the sidelines
of the U.N. session.
But only hours after that, Aso had to jump onto a government jet on his way
back home to prepare for the first policy speech he is to deliver at parliament
Monday.
As a premier, Aso is faced with mounting bread-and-butter issues such as
blunders in the pension system, food safety following the cases of tainted rice
distribution and financial concerns over the bankruptcy of major U.S.
investment bank Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.
Political commentators say that Aso's presence in the United Nations will
enable him to keep his approval rate at around 50 percent for the time being
but Aso himself knows the so-called ''inauguration gift'' for the new prime
minister will not last long.
Aso became prime minister at a time when the first general election in three
years seems inevitable in the coming months. Observers are thus closely
watching whether he dissolves the House of Representatives for a snap election.
Naoto Nonaka, an expert on comparative politics at Gakushuin University,
suggested Aso's political power base is not as strong as is widely believed
compared with Junichiro Koizumi, a charismatic prime minister who took the helm
from 2001 to 2006.
Aso has taken key posts in the LDP and the government such as LDP secretary
general, the party's No. 2 man, and internal affairs and communications
minister.
But he is a latecomer in power struggles in the LDP and heads a small party
faction. It was not until he ran for the LDP presidential election in 2001 that
the public began to know about him.
''Today, many know that Mr. Aso is a joyful and interesting man...But he has
yet to clearly show the public long-term political visions,'' Nonaka said.
Aso, a businessman-turned-lawmaker, enlisted the support of young people as he
is known as a fan of Japanese pop culture including ''manga'' comic books.
He won a landslide victory in last week's LDP presidential election, defeating
four contenders.
''I think Mr. Aso's popularity could be temporary and even Mr. Aso does not
know whether those supporting him will do likewise in the future,'' Nonaka
said.
While reports quoting unnamed lawmakers outside Aso's faction have floated
dates such as Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 or 9 for a possible general election, Aso has
kept quiet on the matter.
