Japan's finance minister emerged Thursday as the only strong candidate for the country's leadership after winning support from key cabinet colleagues tipped as potential rivals.
Naoto Kan, 63, who is also deputy prime minister, has declared his intention to run for party leadership in a vote on Friday, while other potential candidates, including Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada has not yet come up with a message.
CAN was widely expected to succeed Yukio Hatoyama on Friday - first as head of the ruling center-left Party of Japan (DPJ), and then, after a vote in parliament as prime minister of Asia's largest economy.
The mass-circulation Yomiuri Shimbun reported that support for CAN grew, while the Tokyo Shimbun said MAY victory was secured, and can be decided without contest.
Support is building quickly for CAN, a former grassroots civic activist who received popularity in the mid-1990s, when the health minister admitted his government is guilty of a scandal over HIV-infected blood products.
CAN took over as finance minister in January and has since called for a weak yen and pushed for cuts and tax increases to cover Japan's ballooning public debt, which is approaching 200 percent of GDP.
Tokyo shares rose more than three percent Thursday, partly due to news of the CAN was probably taking over as prime minister, said brokers.
MAY, who also serves as deputy prime minister, met Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, who had been regarded as his most serious potential rival, and then received his support.
Okada said he wanted the next best thing to solve the DPJ problems with monetary policy and pursue a strong party leadership, adding: "If these two elements are met, I told him that I support Mr. Will."
Okada said he wants to stay in his position, telling reporters: "I dedicate myself to my duties as foreign minister."
Transportation Seiji Maehara, a telegenic and ambitious young minister who had been seen as a challenge to the Premier League, said: "I will support Mr May, JiJi Press news agency shortly after.
"CAN is a suitable candidate for a number of DPJ lawmakers that his legacy will not lead to further confusion in the party," said Hidekazu Kawai, honorary professor at Tokyo's policy of Gakushuin University.
"DPJ members do not want to take unnecessary chances now. That is a deputy prime minister, a smooth transition is expected. No matter who becomes the next prime minister, very difficult task ahead of us. Therefore, other potential candidates have been reluctant to follow."
The only other candidate was declared a little-known lawmaker without ministerial meetings ranking, Shinji Tarutoko, chairman of the party's environmental committees in the house.
Hatoyama leave Wednesday on a U.S. base dispute and political funds scandals, after only eight months in office, a concept that began with last year's stunning election victory, when his center-left party ended a nearly unbroken half century of Conservative rule.
Their support after he fell backtracked on a promise to move an unpopular American airbase outside the southern island of Okinawa, enraging people, as well as the pacifist Social Democrats, ending the ruling coalition.
Divestment of young party weakened government in parliament upper chamber for the elections to the Chamber sentenced for 11 July.
The DPJ's most influential person General Ichiro Ozawa, who quit Wednesday after Hatoyama asked him to resign. Both men have been involved in political scandals financing.
But Ozawa, described as the "Shadow Shogun" for his power behind the throne, still maintains a significant influence as he controls the largest faction in the party, including scores of newcomers elected last year.
"Ozawa's influence is still considerable in the party despite his resignation," said Kawai of Gakushuin University. "He will lower his profile for now, but it is no surprise that Ozawa come back at any time after the election."
No comments:
Post a Comment