Gaffe-prone Aso says stock traders can be `shady,` `not trusted`

TOKYO, March 21 Kyodo -
Gaffe-prone Prime Minister Taro Aso said Saturday that stock traders can be
considered ''shady'' in rural areas and stock industry people ''are not
trusted,'' remarks that could be taken as disrespectful to individual traders,
securities firms and their employees.
Aso, whose popularity has already plummeted to critically low levels due partly
to a series of remarks seen as gaffes, made the comments while discussing steps
to boost the slumping domestic stock market at a meeting of an experts' panel
held at the prime minister's office.
Michio Matsui, president of Matsui Securities Co. who took part in the
discussions, said, ''What's important (to boosting the stock market) is how to
encourage long-term possession of stocks, and how we can impact the flow of
individual assets.''
In referring to people related to the stock market such as traders and brokers,
Aso used the Japanese term ''kabuya,'' which can be considered derogatory, and
said kabuya ''are not trusted,'' a comment which may trigger objections among
people in the industry.
Since taking office last September, the premier has made a string of remarks
that have angered people from various groups. He has accused doctors of lacking
common sense, while denouncing elderly people for not keeping their health
strong.
The meeting of the experts' panel is designed to explore fresh ideas to ride
out the economic recession.
==Kyodo