Politics

Japanese Opposition in Full Gear to Topple Naoto Kan Government

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Tokyo - “Every day under Kan, Japan’s life is shortened…” was the chant that united the forces of Japanese opposition parties and groups as they called today for the overthrow of Naoto Kan’s administration led by Democratic Party of Japan.

Thousands of demonstrators rallied before the Parliament and the Prime Minister’s official residence to express their rejection of Kan’s government’s domestic and diplomatic policies.

The rally was organized by “Ganbare Nippon, National Action Committee”, “National Grass-root Local Assembly Members”, and Channel Sakura 2000 Committee Volunteers.” MPs of the Liberal Democratic Party and SunRise Party of Japan, among others, gave speeches to an excited crowd of supporters.

The main message of the rally in the streets, and the speeches that followed at a Tokyo hall, was that Japan, under Kan and DPJ rule has lost its way and can’t defend itself, and is only surrendering to pressure from China and Russia and Korea.

On the United States, the protestors` speeches were muted, but Toshio Tamogami, the popular and controversial former Chief of Staff turned politician, told PanOrient News that Tokyo should maintain its security alliance with Washington “for the time being”. He added that, “Regarding the military policy of the DPJ, they are completely incompetent. The DPJ does not pay any attention to the military expansion of China and Russia.” He went on to say that Japan should expand its own military power to maintain the military power balance with other countries.

Since its historic victory last year over the LDP’s half century hold on power in Japan, the DPJ is moving from one crisis to another. Under their aegis, Japanese ties with the USA have been stressed over the fate of the Futenma military base in Okinawa. The relations also faced a serious crisis with China then Russia over territorial disputes.

At the hall, away from the street, demonstrators cheered the speakers who displayed political muscle. Takeo Hiranouma, Former Economy, Trade and Industry minister denounced Kan’s regime by saying that “it achieved none of its promises.”

Tomomi Inada, the lower house member of the LDP, stated that the ruling party “is immoral and has the worst cabinet that has ever existed in Japan’s history as it has neither resolutions nor the will to protect this country”.

The audience was entertained in a political fashion by the popular Japanese Singer, Saya, who sang an old traditional Japanese song `Hotaruno-Hikari`.

The tone of criticism against Kan seems to be exaggerated. MP Syoji Nishida of the LDP described Kan’s government by saying, “It is not the Japanese cabinet. It is the cabinet of foreigners.”

Observers say the continuation of such demonstrations by the right or conservative forces in Japan might shake the already-shaky foundation of Kan government even more. It is already suffering a low support rate of around 30%.

Kan, however, expressed his determination to cling on to power despite declining public support and intensified opposition pressure against his administration. He reportedly said that he will not step down even if the support rating for his Cabinet ''drops to 1 percent.''

PanOrient News



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