Yosano raps DPJ fiscal policy as 'nearly equal to crime'+

TOKYO, July 6 Kyodo -
Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano said Monday that Japan's main opposition party's
stance on fiscal policy is ''nearly equal to committing a crime.''

Yosano's strong criticism of the Democratic Party of Japan apparently reflects
his frustration about the Liberal Democratic Party facing hard times ahead of a
forthcoming general election.
''It is fun to play in the world of imagination and fantasy,'' Yosano said at a
news conference, when asked about the DPJ's argument regarding where it plans
to secure the fiscal resources for its policies.
''It is almost nearly equal to committing a crime as the party is tricking
people into thinking their lives would be ensured,'' Yosano said, referring to
the opposition party's contention that it would be capable of providing better
measures by cutting unnecessary public spending and using cash reserves pooled
in special government accounts.
The DPJ is seen to have a good shot at wresting power from the LDP in the
election that may be held as early this summer.
Media polls have shown that public approval rates for the LDP, which has
governed Japan for more than half a century in almost unbroken succession, have
been falling in recent weeks.
On Sunday, a DPJ-backed candidate won a closely watched gubernatorial election
in Shizuoka.
==Kyodo