Aso, Fukuda vie for prime minister post
Saturday, 15 September 2007
TOKYO , Sept 14 (Agencies): Former Foreign Minister Taro Aso declared his candidacy Friday to replace Japan's hospitalised prime minister, running as the conservative choice against dovish former Cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda. Meanwhile, the ruling party came under pressure to call snap parliamentary elections so that the public could play a role in choosing the next premier.
Aso said he would run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race on Sept. 23. The winner is assured election as prime minister because of the LDP's majority in the lower house of parliament.
"We want to announce our policies to the people of Japan and the members of the party," Aso told supporters. "We want to have an open election."
Fukuda, who served as chief Cabinet secretary under Abe's predecessor, also announced his candidacy Friday. He is a staunch supporter of closer ties with China, and opposes prime ministerial visits to a Tokyo war shrine accused of militarism.
"This is an emergency situation, so I will do what I must do," Fukuda, 71, told supporters at a Tokyo hotel. "I have a strong sense that I should do this for the country to move Japanese politics forward."
Fukuda, the son of a former prime minister, garnered the early support of Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, and media reported popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi would back him. Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga announced Friday he would set aside his own ambitions to be prime minister and support Fukuda.
"I am of the same opinion as Fukuda about the importance of relations with Asia, and after talking with him, I decided to throw my support behind him," Nukaga said.
Abe, 52, abruptly announced his resignation on Wednesday amid a parliamentary battle over his effort to extend the country's naval mission in the Indian Ocean. Japan is refueling ships there in support of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan.
On Thursday he checked into a hospital for treatment for psychological stress and exhaustion, and was expected to remain for several days. However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano said Abe will hold power until a successor takes charge.
"Although Mr. Abe has expressed his intention to resign, the current Cabinet is responsible for affairs until the new prime minister is inaugurated," Yosano said. "So this means Mr. Abe remains in office until a new prime minister is chosen."
Aso said he would run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race on Sept. 23. The winner is assured election as prime minister because of the LDP's majority in the lower house of parliament.
"We want to announce our policies to the people of Japan and the members of the party," Aso told supporters. "We want to have an open election."
Fukuda, who served as chief Cabinet secretary under Abe's predecessor, also announced his candidacy Friday. He is a staunch supporter of closer ties with China, and opposes prime ministerial visits to a Tokyo war shrine accused of militarism.
"This is an emergency situation, so I will do what I must do," Fukuda, 71, told supporters at a Tokyo hotel. "I have a strong sense that I should do this for the country to move Japanese politics forward."
Fukuda, the son of a former prime minister, garnered the early support of Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, and media reported popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi would back him. Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga announced Friday he would set aside his own ambitions to be prime minister and support Fukuda.
"I am of the same opinion as Fukuda about the importance of relations with Asia, and after talking with him, I decided to throw my support behind him," Nukaga said.
Abe, 52, abruptly announced his resignation on Wednesday amid a parliamentary battle over his effort to extend the country's naval mission in the Indian Ocean. Japan is refueling ships there in support of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan.
On Thursday he checked into a hospital for treatment for psychological stress and exhaustion, and was expected to remain for several days. However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano said Abe will hold power until a successor takes charge.
"Although Mr. Abe has expressed his intention to resign, the current Cabinet is responsible for affairs until the new prime minister is inaugurated," Yosano said. "So this means Mr. Abe remains in office until a new prime minister is chosen."