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| Wednesday, 16 June 2004 |
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Opposition readies no-confidence motion on Japan PM TOKYO, Tuesday (Reuters) Japan's opposition parties prepared to submit a no-confidence motion on Tuesday against Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in a symbolic gesture intended to appeal to voters ahead of an Upper House election next month. The move came as two new surveys showed the Japanese leader's public support had dipped. The Democratic Party and smaller opposition parties were expected later in the day to submit the motion criticising Koizumi's reforms of the creaking state pension system and his plan for Japan's military to join a multinational force in Iraq. The two issues are hot topics ahead of an election, expected on July 11, that could determine how much clout Koizumi has in his remaining two years in office. "The time has come to clearly say 'No' to Prime Minister Koizumi, who makes no effort to be accountable to the public, and to his numerous policy failures," Democratic Party leader Katsuya Okada told fellow Democratic Party lawmakers. Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary-General Shinzo Abe dismissed the move as mere performance, telling a news conference the LDP and its coalition partner would use their majority to defeat the motion in parliament's powerful Lower House. "With the election coming up, I suppose the opposition wants to show a confrontational attitude," Abe said. "We will just vote it down calmly." Analysts have said it is next to impossible for the ruling camp to lose its majority in the Upper House election. But past premiers have resigned over poor performances in elections for the chamber and a weak showing would encourage Koizumi's ruling party rivals to sharpen their knives. |
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