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发帖数: 9035 | 1 Japan likely to replace leader next week
Associated Press / August 24, 2011
TOKYO - A former foreign minister announced his candidacy to lead Japan
yesterday just hours after unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan said he would
be out of the picture by early next week.
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Kan has been criticized for lacking leadership after the March 11 earthquake
and tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis, and survivors of the disasters
complain of slow relief and recovery efforts. Polls show his approval rating
is below 20 percent.
Seiji Maehara, the former foreign minister, said last night he wants to take
over the leadership to restore public trust and hope, especially among
disaster victims.
“We must regain public trust in politics, and achieve policies that can
help people’s sense of safety and hope for the future,’’ Maehara said.
Maehara is a favorite to replace Kan and his entry could affect plans for
several other potential candidates.
A security expert and a China hawk, the 49-year-old lawmaker has warned
against China’s growing military spending and presence in the region.
Maehara was also the transport minister during Tokyo’s diplomatic spat with
Beijing last year over small islands in the East China Sea claimed by both
nations. He is an avid railway fan and has actively tried to export Japan’s
“bullet train’’ technology.
Kan had promised in June to step down as soon as Parliament passes two key
bills - related to budget and renewable energy each - which it is set to do
Friday |
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