Fukuda Vows to Pursue Reforms

Tokyo, Aug. 4 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Saturday renewed his resolve to pursue reforms so that his government can better meet the needs of the public.

The new cabinet will make utmost efforts to make the government fully aware of the needs of the nation and build a solid foundation allowing people to feel secure about their lives, Fukuda said in a statement.

The statement, adopted at the first meeting of the new cabinet, also said the team will strive to remake the country's economy and society into ones where people have access to the dividends of its affluence.

Japan will also make additional efforts to secure global peace and
stability and resolve global environmental problems, the statement said.
The cabinet meeting followed an inauguration ceremony held at the
Imperial Palace, which marked the official start of Fukuda's new cabinet.
At a news conference on Friday, Fukuda said the new cabinet's main
goal is to establish a sense of security among the public which has been
undermined by a string of scandals in both the private and public sectors.
In the statement, Fukuda said reform efforts have already been
under way, including those aimed at boosting consumer protection and
reducing inefficiency in the government.
On the recently unveiled social security reform plans, Fukuda
pledged to put the plans into practice in one or two years.
Fukuda also said his cabinet will take steps to reduce the impact
of high oil prices on economic activity.
Fukuda faces serious challenges due to widening gaps over key
policy issues between his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition
partner New Komeito, and even among LDP lawmakers.
The issues include a proposed extension of naval support to the
U.S.-led war on terror in Afghanistan and the timing of a general election.
Because of the gap, Fukuda remains unable to decide when to convene
an extraordinary session of parliament, where the antiterror support may top
the agenda.