Japan's Aso Chooses His Cabinet

CHAN:
Japan's new prime minister, Taro Aso, was sworn into office yesterday. His biggest political move to date is the selection of his cabinet members, which he made public today.


STORY:
Taro Aso, an advocate of spending and tax cuts confronts an economy teetering on the brink of recession. He's speaking at a press conference to announce his new cabinet.

[Taro Aso, Japan's Prime Minister]:
"I am strongly aware of the people's anxiety about the economy and their livelihoods, and their mistrust of politics."

Aso is likely to maintain ties with China on an even keel while strengthening relations with the United States.

[Taro Aso, Japan's Prime Minister]:
"The main diplomatic issues will be strengthening the Japan-US alliance, war against terror, and how to deal with North Korea."

Upper house lawmaker Hirofumi Nakasone, a former education minister was appointed foreign minister.

Aso appointed former trade minister and China critic Shoichi Nakagawa to hold two key portfolios - finance and financial services - while retaining Economics Minister Kaoru Yosano, a fiscal conservative who was runner-up in the race to be prime minister.

Aso says balancing the budget is now much more difficult as the World's economy struggles.

[Taro Aso, Japan's Prime Minister]:
"I think many countries are suffering from a global financial crisis and the fact is that Japan is one of them, even though we might be only slightly wounded comparing to other countries."

Some analysts said the cabinet was designed to put the spotlight on Aso as a strong leader, though the inclusion of right-leaning lawmakers couldworry overseas observers.

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[needwend32]

国旗に一礼する姿がいい

[Gaff76]

Looking back at this piece, one can now see what terrible choices he has made.