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On August 16, DPJ President, Prime Minister Naoto Kan responded to reporters’ questions at the Prime Minister’s Office. Asked about the outlook for administering the government, he expressed his opinion of the current state of affairs, saying, “Last year, a change of government under a two-party system was realized, but we have now reached an historic stage in which we are being called upon to show whether this change of government can really bring about good government for the people, or whether we will just obstruct each other and be unable to fulfil the function of politics.” He went on to say, “I would like to tackle the administration of the government from now in a non-partisan spirit that recognizes we are being called upon to show whether party politics can function within a parliamentary democracy.”
With regard to specific policy themes, Kan explained, “I would like to visit facilities directly involved in dealing with issues relating to the employment of young people, in particular new graduates from school and university, and incorporate what I experience there in policy.”
Kan was asked for his impression regarding the announcement that same day by the Cabinet Office that Japan’s GDP had increased by 0.1% in the quarter from April to June. He said that he would continue to watch trends, including that of the problematic yen exchange rate, closely, and intended to listen to reports from Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Satoshi Arai, Minister of Finance Yoshihiko Noda, and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masayuki Naoshima giving their various perspectives on the situation of the Japanese economy, before considering what action to take.
Following this, Kan commented on news that former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama had visited China in relation to global warming preventions measures, and had met with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. He expressed his approval, saying, “I hope that he will make an important contribution to the wider Japan-China relationship through involvement in environmental issues.”
Kan went on to comment on his meeting with Miyazaki governor Hideo Higashikokubaru earlier that day. With regard to the governor’s call for financial assistance to be incorporated in measures to assist with recovery following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease that had affected the prefecture, Kan stated his intention of responding to the issue while keeping fully informed of developments on the ground, saying, “A special measures law already exists that includes provisions for the establishment of an assistance fund. I informed the governor that I would discuss the matter in a cabinet meeting at the weekend.”
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