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Prime Minister Taro Aso on Thursday dismissed opposition charges that his "lame-duck" leadership on the world stage was damaging the country's interests. "It's rude to say this but I feel discomfort over the lame-duck prime minister's engagement in top-level diplomacy," Seiji Maehara, a senior official of the main opposition Democratic Party, said in the Diet.
"I believe this is hurting our national interest. Is the prime minister aware of this?" he asked Aso, who flew back from Washington Wednesday after a brief talk with President Barack Obama as the first foreign White House guest.
Aso denied the charge, saying: "It is natural that a legitimately elected prime minister engages in negotiations with other countries by representing the national interest."
The lack of a joint press conference or official lunch during the Washington summit prompted Japanese media to speculate that Obama is not investing much time in an Aso administration whose days could be numbered.
Aso rejected the opposition's demand for snap lower house elections. "It is up to me when to dissolve the house," Aso said, without elaborating.
General elections must be held by September and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party faces the prospect of losing its half-century grip on power.
The Aso cabinet's approval ratings have slumped into single digits according to one recent poll, less than one quarter of the support he had when he took office five months ago.
Aso apparently hopes to boost his popularity with his overseas trips. Last week, he became the first Japanese premier to visit Russia's Sakhalin Island since World War II, meeting President Dmitry Medvedev.
But Japanese voters appeared to be more concerned about the country's crumbling economy.
Aso said he had discussed North Korea's possible launch of a missile with Obama. "I don't know what benefits they (North Korea) would get by increasing tensions but we agreed for Japan and the United States to keep in close contact over this issue," he said.
© Wire reports
22 Comments
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Simon_Foston
Sorry, everything in the above post from "Asao will not..." to "sitting at the backdoor." should be quoted. (Moderators, a way to edit posts here would be handy)
Simon_Foston
Asao will not be going anywhere quick.
Both his party and the opposing party agree with this, and any discrepancies they may have. Despite noisy comments with the opposite opinion. The country is already in debate over Asao, it would be better to leave him there, where he does alright imo, than to have to take over the global mess that is sitting at the backdoor.
Then how come just about every time an opposition leader is in an interview they say they want Aso to call an election (presumably so they can kick the LDP's arses and throw him out of office)? How come there are LDP members on record as saying they want him to quit? Aso has no new ideas for solving Japan's problems, he's just re-hashing the same old LDP money politics they've used for 50 years to dupe provincial yokels into voting for them. I don't think he's doing all right at all.
He'll be gone by September, if not earlier, and good riddance to him. After that, Aso and the rest of the useless old twats from the LDP who have ruined Japan should be put in pillories so we can all throw rotten cabbages at them.
shouganaika
Japan has had 4 in the last decade
illsayit
Asao will not be going anywhere quick.
Both his party and the opposing party agree with this, and any discrepancies they may have. Despite noisy comments with the opposite opinion. The country is already in debate over Asao, it would be better to leave him there, where he does alright imo, than to have to take over the global mess that is sitting at the backdoor.
ca1ic0cat
Is that Beijing duck or peeking duck? Since this is Japan probably the latter. I don't know why Aso stays. Maybe he is just stubborn?
parrotcat
Just let him go. I'm fed up.
Statistician
Obviously he's not a lame duck. He's a dead duck.
koizumi
Saborichan,
At this point (and probably for the future, too) there is only one name with their cards all lined up : OZAWA.
saborichan
Let's start hearing proposals. If the party doesn't change, who's our next likely seat filler? Anyone clued in?
saborichan
Odd technical question;
Aso denies claims that he's 'lame duck,' damaging Japan's interests.
Is the comma after duck necessary?
beavis
@tkoind2
Deservedly harsh, but extremely well put. I would only concur with you and koizumi.
Aska
I must say that I was embarrased when Aso made his speech after Obama on his first day visit. Does he not prepare for media coverage? It definitly does not make Japan look like a world leader.
koizumi
Wow, 'tko' san, you are right on the mark.
And the thing is that Aso is not gone at this late date of rot simply because his 'underlings' haven't put quite enough pressure on him yet ... but that pressure is building - rapidly - so Dear Aso will surely be out sometime in April, if not before.
But what a WASTE in the meantime. WHAT are these guys waiting for?
Scrote
It will be interesting to see if the Fukuoka voters re-elect the supposedly unpopular Aso at the next election.
memyselfI
This happens every 2 decades. a dim-wit in a leadership position.
tkoind2
Denial is the only quality Aso has left. So of course he is using.
I don't think lame duck quite captures the real situation. More like stinking corpse. His presence in power has stalled Japan at a time when it cannot afford to be sitting doing nothing. He is a ripe rotting spot preventing life getting to the rest of the government.
Until Aso is gone, nothing will move. And that means he is actively harming the best interests of the people, his party and the economy.
The man is a waste of water, meat and air. As most of the foreign posters here said so clearly before he came to power. Hate to say it, but Japan I told you so. The man is useless, glib and dispicable for his blatant disregard for the well being of Japanese people.
memyselfI
Wow !!! A Japanese version of George "lame duck" Bush. Amazing !!!!
blvtzpk
He talks out the side of his beak as well...
bamboohat
Old Aso is always good for a laugh. Whenever people say "Obama is handsome and a great speaker" I always retort with "Oh, yes, Just like Aso.."
That always breaks 'em up.
Spidey
f it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then...
And don't forget "looks like a duck..."
S
DeepAir65
f it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then...
aintgottimetobl
His reaction to the Nakagawa drinking incident,to mention only one,indicated to most that he is clearly not 'representing the national interest '