ID :
202378
Fri, 08/19/2011 - 16:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/202378
The shortlink copeid
Kaieda gearing up for DPJ leadership election
TOKYO, Aug. 19 Kyodo - Industry minister Banri Kaieda held talks Friday with Democratic Party of Japan heavyweights, as he prepares to run in the ruling party's presidential election to pick a successor to Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
After announcing his intention to become a contender in the race, Kaieda held separate talks with two former DPJ leaders, Yukio Hatoyama and Ichiro Ozawa, both known to be critical of the way Kan has been running the government since June last year.
''I have thought about the current situation of the DPJ and the government'' after the devastating March earthquake and tsunami, Kaieda told a news conference in the morning in reference to his candidacy.
''Your understanding is correct,'' Kaieda said, when asked if he had been preparing to file his candidacy in the election of the ruling party, which could take place on Aug. 28 or Aug. 29.
The 62-year-old minister, who has relatively close ties with the two former leaders, said it would be imperative to consolidate unity in the party, which has been plagued by internal strife under Kan's leadership.
Kaieda suggested that if he is elected party president he may nullify the DPJ leadership's decision to suspend Ozawa's party membership following his indictment over a political funds scandal.
Attention is being given to which candidate in the election receives the backing of Ozawa, head of the largest group in the party and often referred to as ''the shadow shogun'' of Japanese politics, who lost to Kan in the previous presidential election last September.
After the news conference, Kaieda held talks with Hatoyama and asked for the support of his party faction, as well as Ozawa, who maintains his grip on about 120 DPJ lawmakers still loyal to the power broker.
In addition to Kaieda, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, 54, and former transport minister Sumio Mabuchi, 50, have voiced their intention to run in the election.
Former Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa, 57, and Shinji Tarutoko, 52, former chairman of the DPJ's Diet Affairs Committee, have also shown eagerness to enter the leadership race, while some DPJ lawmakers have been trying to convince farm minister Michihiko Kano, 69, and former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, 49, to also run.
On Friday, a group of DPJ lawmakers formally asked Kano to throw his hat into the ring.
''In my political career, this is the most weighty request to date,'' Kano told them. ''Please give me some more time to think about it.''
After announcing his intention to become a contender in the race, Kaieda held separate talks with two former DPJ leaders, Yukio Hatoyama and Ichiro Ozawa, both known to be critical of the way Kan has been running the government since June last year.
''I have thought about the current situation of the DPJ and the government'' after the devastating March earthquake and tsunami, Kaieda told a news conference in the morning in reference to his candidacy.
''Your understanding is correct,'' Kaieda said, when asked if he had been preparing to file his candidacy in the election of the ruling party, which could take place on Aug. 28 or Aug. 29.
The 62-year-old minister, who has relatively close ties with the two former leaders, said it would be imperative to consolidate unity in the party, which has been plagued by internal strife under Kan's leadership.
Kaieda suggested that if he is elected party president he may nullify the DPJ leadership's decision to suspend Ozawa's party membership following his indictment over a political funds scandal.
Attention is being given to which candidate in the election receives the backing of Ozawa, head of the largest group in the party and often referred to as ''the shadow shogun'' of Japanese politics, who lost to Kan in the previous presidential election last September.
After the news conference, Kaieda held talks with Hatoyama and asked for the support of his party faction, as well as Ozawa, who maintains his grip on about 120 DPJ lawmakers still loyal to the power broker.
In addition to Kaieda, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, 54, and former transport minister Sumio Mabuchi, 50, have voiced their intention to run in the election.
Former Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa, 57, and Shinji Tarutoko, 52, former chairman of the DPJ's Diet Affairs Committee, have also shown eagerness to enter the leadership race, while some DPJ lawmakers have been trying to convince farm minister Michihiko Kano, 69, and former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, 49, to also run.
On Friday, a group of DPJ lawmakers formally asked Kano to throw his hat into the ring.
''In my political career, this is the most weighty request to date,'' Kano told them. ''Please give me some more time to think about it.''
