Aso, Ozawa stress ability to run gov't in 1st Diet debate

TOKYO, Oct. 1 Kyodo - Prime Minister Taro Aso and main opposition Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa both stressed their parties' ability to hold the reins of government in their first Diet debate Wednesday amid widespread expectations a
general election will be called soon.

Countering Aso's policy speech delivered Monday, Ozawa gave his own ''policy
speech'' at the Diet and urged the premier to promptly call a general election
after sufficient debate is held in parliament over the course of the nation and
presenting each party's policies.
On dissolving the House of Representatives, Aso merely said, ''I will make a
decision on the dissolution.''
Later in the day, Aso told reporters, ''Public opinion supports economic
measures more than the dissolution. The U.S. financial crisis had not emerged
when the draft of the supplementary budget was compiled,'' suggesting he would
like to prioritize implementing more steps to stimulate the economy.
The DPJ is seeking for the lower house to be dissolved immediately after the
enactment of the fiscal 2008 supplementary budget.
At the start of Diet debate following the launch of the Aso administration last
week, Ozawa criticized Aso's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, saying, ''It's
hard to believe'' the LDP president still holds the premiership even after the
two previous LDP presidents gave up their administrations, each in about one
year.
After apologizing to the public over the abrupt resignations by the two
previous prime ministers, Aso responded to Ozawa's criticism, saying he
strongly believes it is the LDP which has the firm ability to hold the reins of
government and is capable of being responsible for Japan's future.
He asked the DPJ to show its stance on three issues -- a supplementary budget,
setting up a consumer affairs agency and the extension of Japan's antiterrorism
refueling mission in the Indian Ocean, while showing eagerness to pass bills
regarding the issues.
Aso showed a positive stance on implementing additional economic measures amid
global financial turmoil, saying the government needs to implement more
measures flexibly after assessing the effects of the supplementary budget.
On the consumption tax, Aso said raising it is unavoidable but that his
government will not increase the current 5-percent rate for the time being by
taking account of the current economic situation.
Ozawa said the next general election will be ''an extremely important
opportunity'' for people to choose whether to continue with a administration
led by the LDP and the New Komeito party or whether to hand power to the DPJ.
Ozawa said he would allocate 20.5 trillion yen to realize his manifesto pledges
including monthly child-rearing allowances of 26,000 yen, if the DPJ takes
power.
The DPJ leader, who has been criticized by the ruling parties for being unclear
on funding for the measures, said that to secure financial resources he will
radically change the fiscal management structure by steps such as using
reserves in the nation's special account budgets.
Presenting the DPJ's manifesto for the lower house election, Ozawa outlined
plans for tax cuts of 2.6 trillion yen, toll-free highways, termination of the
''provisional'' tax rate on gasoline and medical system reform.
Aso said he is seeking to realize freeing up tax revenues which are earmarked
for building roads for general spending purposes from fiscal 2009 in line with
the Cabinet endorsement in May.
On diplomacy, Ozawa said the U.S.-Japan alliance needs to be maintained and
further developed, and that the DPJ will pursue equal and strong ties with the
United States.
The DPJ also aims to establish ''truly friendly and trusting relationships''
with the Asia-Pacific nations, he said, adding that strengthening the
relationship with South Korea and China is very important for Japan to maintain
peace and prosperity.
On Monday, Aso in his policy speech called on the DPJ to present its views on
the supplementary budget and the extension of the refueling mission, but Ozawa
largely ignored the calls.
Ozawa criticized Aso's policy speech, saying it had no clear philosophy,
concrete vision or policy. ''The only concrete part was libel against the
DPJ,'' he said.
In Wednesday's debate, Aso also responded to questions from LDP Secretary
General Hiroyuki Hosoda and DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama.
Interpellations will last until Friday in both the lower house, where the
ruling bloc holds a majority, and the less powerful House of Councillors, which
is controlled by the opposition bloc.