ID :
191416
Tue, 06/28/2011 - 03:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/191416
The shortlink copeid
Kan Cites Conditions for His Resignation
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Monday that the enactment of three important bills, including the government's fiscal 2011 second supplementary budget, will represent certain progress that needs to be secured as conditions for his resignation.
It is the first time that Kan has cited conditions for his exit since the prime minister said on June 2 that he would quit after certain progress is made in the efforts to rebuild areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and bring under control the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s <9502> crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
At Monday's news conference, however, Kan did not clarify an exact timing for his resignation, only reiterating that the passage of the three bills, also including one to promote the use of renewable energy and another to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds to implement its fiscal 2011 main budget, should be recognized as the certain progress.
It is thus still unclear if Kan will step down by the Aug. 31 end of the extended regular Diet session.
Asked about a possibility of dissolving the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber, in case the renewable energy bill fails to clear the Diet, Kan said he will make utmost efforts to ensure its enactment under his government. He did not make a comment clearly denying such a possibility.
Kan said that the government aims to draw up as early as possible an outline of measures to prevent a nuclear disaster in the wake of the accident at the TEPCO plant, which continues releasing radioactive substances into the environment after being badly damaged by the March disaster.
The prime minister said he wants Goshi Hosono, minister for nuclear power plant-related issues appointed on Monday, to play a leading role in the work to compile the outline.
Kan held the news conference after he carried out a personnel reshuffle in his cabinet the same day following the creation of a new post of minister for promoting the reconstruction of areas devastated by the March natural disaster.
Ryu Matsumoto assumed the new post while giving his position of environment minister to Justice Minister Satsuki Eda in order to focus on the job of postdisaster reconstruction. But Matsumoto retained his another concurrent post of disaster prevention minister.
At the news conference, Kan sought understanding for his decision to pick Kazuyuki Hamada, a lawmaker of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, as parliamentary secretary for internal affairs and communications despite strong anger from the LDP.
By letting Hamada join the cabinet, the government can make progress in various issues in terms of postdisaster reconstruction, Kan said, noting that Hamada has a strong desire to make contributions to the rebuilding of the disaster-affected areas.
Asked about the reason for his decision on the latest personnel reshuffle, including the appointment of Hosono, despite his stated readiness to resign, the prime minister said that the step is definitely designed to speed up the reconstruction and ensure that a nuclear accident will never happen again.
It is the first time that Kan has cited conditions for his exit since the prime minister said on June 2 that he would quit after certain progress is made in the efforts to rebuild areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and bring under control the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s <9502> crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
At Monday's news conference, however, Kan did not clarify an exact timing for his resignation, only reiterating that the passage of the three bills, also including one to promote the use of renewable energy and another to allow the government to issue deficit-covering bonds to implement its fiscal 2011 main budget, should be recognized as the certain progress.
It is thus still unclear if Kan will step down by the Aug. 31 end of the extended regular Diet session.
Asked about a possibility of dissolving the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber, in case the renewable energy bill fails to clear the Diet, Kan said he will make utmost efforts to ensure its enactment under his government. He did not make a comment clearly denying such a possibility.
Kan said that the government aims to draw up as early as possible an outline of measures to prevent a nuclear disaster in the wake of the accident at the TEPCO plant, which continues releasing radioactive substances into the environment after being badly damaged by the March disaster.
The prime minister said he wants Goshi Hosono, minister for nuclear power plant-related issues appointed on Monday, to play a leading role in the work to compile the outline.
Kan held the news conference after he carried out a personnel reshuffle in his cabinet the same day following the creation of a new post of minister for promoting the reconstruction of areas devastated by the March natural disaster.
Ryu Matsumoto assumed the new post while giving his position of environment minister to Justice Minister Satsuki Eda in order to focus on the job of postdisaster reconstruction. But Matsumoto retained his another concurrent post of disaster prevention minister.
At the news conference, Kan sought understanding for his decision to pick Kazuyuki Hamada, a lawmaker of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, as parliamentary secretary for internal affairs and communications despite strong anger from the LDP.
By letting Hamada join the cabinet, the government can make progress in various issues in terms of postdisaster reconstruction, Kan said, noting that Hamada has a strong desire to make contributions to the rebuilding of the disaster-affected areas.
Asked about the reason for his decision on the latest personnel reshuffle, including the appointment of Hosono, despite his stated readiness to resign, the prime minister said that the step is definitely designed to speed up the reconstruction and ensure that a nuclear accident will never happen again.
