? ?
WORLD / Abe Resigns
Abe?treated for exhaustion
(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-13 15:09
"The voters should be asked in the proper fashion who their choice for
leader is in a general election," said the national Asahi newspaper in an
editorial. "That is the only way to bring back politics based on the
people's trust."
Some party lawmakers urged the return of Abe's predecessor, Junichiro
Koizumi, but lawmaker Gaku Ishizaki told TV Asahi that the former premier
had so far rejected the idea of returning to power.
The leadership change comes just as the government has opened its battle
in parliament over the Indian Ocean naval mission, which the opposition
has vowed to defeat.
Japan's navy has been providing fuel for coalition warships in the Indian
Ocean since November 2001 under an anti-terrorism law that has already
been extended three times. The legislation is a key issue before the
special parliament session that opened Monday.
Although polls show public opinion is split on the issue, the government
should eventually be able to push through the legislation because the
Liberal Democrats control the lower house, which can override a "no" vote
by the upper house.
The United States has turned up the pressure on Japan to extend the
mission. US Ambassador Thomas Schieffer met with officials earlier
Wednesday to make Washington's case.
White House spokesman Tony Snow declined to comment on the leadership
change, but noted Japan is a key US ally. "We continue to work closely
with the Japanese on a whole range of issues, obviously, and we will
continue to do so," he said.
The resignation climaxes a rapid fall for Abe, who was the hand-picked
successor to Koizumi. Abe swept into office with ambitious plans to
revise the 1947 pacifist constitution and bolster Japan's role in
international affairs.
Abe, whose grandfather was a prime minister and father was a foreign
minister, initially met with success in fence-mending trips to China and
South Korea. He also passed laws bolstering patriotic education and
upgrading the Defense Agency to a full Cabinet-level ministry.
But the string of scandals quickly sapped public support.
?? ?? 1?? 2?? ??
?? ?? 1?? 2?? ??
Top World News ?
* Tangerine peel could help fight cancer
* Putin names surprise nominee for PM
* Official warns of slowing US economy
* US nuclear experts visit North Korea
* AP Poll: Most see Iraq war as failure
Today's Top News ?
* Japan ruling party seeks new leader after PM quits
* 1M babies with deformities born a year
* Anti-corruption bureau established
* Putin names surprise nominee for PM
* Abe's quit won't affect bilateral ties much - experts
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
No comments:
Post a Comment