ID :
48088
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 22:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/48088
The shortlink copeid
Aso hoping to improve popularity through busy diplomatic schedule+
TOKYO, Feb. 27 Kyodo - With the fiscal 2009 budget passing the House of Representatives on Friday, Prime Minister Taro Aso is set to push ahead with a series of diplomatic events, in defiance of falling support ratings for his Cabinet and moves within his Liberal Democratic Party to remove him from the premier's post.
In an effort to regain his credibility, Aso will be hoping to promote himself
as a skillful and seasoned diplomat at various upcoming events, including the
Group of Eight summit in Italy in July.
A source close to the prime minister said, ''We want to get across the idea
that frequently replacing the top Japanese leader will harm the national
interest, as relations of mutual trust among top officials is vital in
diplomacy.''
The next major diplomatic event is the Group of 20 financial gathering slated
for April 2 in London, where Aso is seeking to meet U.S. President Barack Obama
and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines.
The Japanese premier will then host in Tokyo the same month a meeting of
nations supporting Pakistan, on which he briefed Obama and sought his support
during their meeting in Washington earlier this week.
Aso is hoping the global community will regard the meeting as a success, as
helping to stabilize Pakistan is deemed vital to improving the situation in
Afghanistan.
In May, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Japan to
discuss various issues including sovereignty of four disputed islands --
Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group -- known in Japan as
the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils.
The focus of the meeting, which has been postponed from the start of this year,
is likely to be on what efforts the two nations may take on ''a creative and
unconventional approach toward solving the sovereignty dispute'' on which both
sides agreed at a Feb. 18 between Aso and Medvedev.
Aso is also interested in visiting China as soon as his schedule allows.
By proceeding with such a series of diplomatic events, the unpopular Aso
apparently hopes to keep in check moves within the LDP to replace him ahead of
a House of Representatives election that has to be held by the fall.
One ruling bloc source expressed doubts about whether Aso's diplomatic
activities will have help improve his popularity ratings, while a senior
Foreign Ministry official said, ''Other countries know of the volatile
political situation in Japan, which makes it difficult to hold in-depth
discussions.''
==Kyodo
2009-02-27 22:51:24
In an effort to regain his credibility, Aso will be hoping to promote himself
as a skillful and seasoned diplomat at various upcoming events, including the
Group of Eight summit in Italy in July.
A source close to the prime minister said, ''We want to get across the idea
that frequently replacing the top Japanese leader will harm the national
interest, as relations of mutual trust among top officials is vital in
diplomacy.''
The next major diplomatic event is the Group of 20 financial gathering slated
for April 2 in London, where Aso is seeking to meet U.S. President Barack Obama
and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines.
The Japanese premier will then host in Tokyo the same month a meeting of
nations supporting Pakistan, on which he briefed Obama and sought his support
during their meeting in Washington earlier this week.
Aso is hoping the global community will regard the meeting as a success, as
helping to stabilize Pakistan is deemed vital to improving the situation in
Afghanistan.
In May, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is expected to visit Japan to
discuss various issues including sovereignty of four disputed islands --
Kunashiri, Etorofu, Shikotan and the Habomai islet group -- known in Japan as
the Northern Territories and in Russia as the Southern Kurils.
The focus of the meeting, which has been postponed from the start of this year,
is likely to be on what efforts the two nations may take on ''a creative and
unconventional approach toward solving the sovereignty dispute'' on which both
sides agreed at a Feb. 18 between Aso and Medvedev.
Aso is also interested in visiting China as soon as his schedule allows.
By proceeding with such a series of diplomatic events, the unpopular Aso
apparently hopes to keep in check moves within the LDP to replace him ahead of
a House of Representatives election that has to be held by the fall.
One ruling bloc source expressed doubts about whether Aso's diplomatic
activities will have help improve his popularity ratings, while a senior
Foreign Ministry official said, ''Other countries know of the volatile
political situation in Japan, which makes it difficult to hold in-depth
discussions.''
==Kyodo
2009-02-27 22:51:24
