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Japan PM vows to fight to enact economic measures
By JAY ALABASTER,Associated Press Writer AP - 2 hours 9 minutes ago
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso came out swinging at his party's annual convention Sunday, vowing to overcome political opposition and pass economic measures despite plummeting popularity that could see the party lose its nearly six-decade grip on power.
The main opposition party immediately fired back, promising at its own convention later Sunday to seize control of the government in this year's elections.
In a speech at the yearly gathering of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Aso used tough talk, saying his party would work to enact his financial legislation _ which been repeatedly criticized by the opposition and has proven unpopular with the general public.
Aso's plans to revive the economy include a record-high budget and a controversial scheme to give a cash handout to every Japanese household to spur spending.
"We will lead the charge against the current crisis, first by fighting with all of our strength to enact the economic measures," he said.
At the convention of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, however, leader Ichiro Ozawa promised the end was near for the ruling party. Ozawa would likely be selected as the next prime minister if his party won a majority in parliament, and recent polls have shown he has more support among voters than Aso.
"We will win the lower house election and create a new government," he said.
The conventions were held as polls show public approval of Aso's administration has fallen to 20 percent, leading many political analysts to say his days in power are numbered and emboldening the opposing Democrats. Generally in Japan, a 30 percent approval rate is seen as the lowest sustainable level for an administration.
The Liberal Democrats have control of the powerful lower house of Japan's parliament. But the Democrats currently have a majority in the weaker upper house, and have used their strength to impede or block much of the prime minister's key legislation.
Aso called the current gridlock in parliament "twisted" and called for reforms of Japan's parliamentary system.
"The current situation is leading to criticism, including that the difference in functions of the two houses has been lost and that decision making by parliament is being delayed," he said.
But in his address later in the day, Ozawa said the Liberal Democrats were acting only to keep themselves in control, and the only way forward was for the party to step down.
"The administration, which has lost sight of even the purpose of its use of political power, must immediately disappear," he said.
Aso took office in September last year, just as the economic crisis unfolded. He must call general elections by September of this year, and a poor showing would cost his Liberal Democrats control of the country, which they have had for most of the past 60 years.
Recently, the prime minister has indicated that he may call elections in April, after the national budget is passed.
In a sign that the party is weakening, a former Cabinet minister quit last week, saying the party no longer listens to the needs of everyday Japanese.
Yoshimi Watanabe, who served in two cabinets, said he will not try to convince others to follow him or create a new party. But his move was seen as reflecting the discontent of other members of the Liberal Democrats who fear its ebbing clout may hurt their career prospects.
Aso said Sunday that he remained confident that Japan could climb out of the financial downturn, which has seen broad job cuts and slashed earning forecasts by domestic companies.
"For Japan, as the country that is said to be suffering the least among advanced nations, it is unthinkable that we can't overcome the current crisis," he said.
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