ID :
138005
Tue, 08/17/2010 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/138005
The shortlink copeid
Factional deliberations under way ahead of DPJ presidential race+
TOKYO, Aug. 16 Kyodo - Deliberations within factions of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan are intensifying ahead of the party's presidential election next month.
While Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who is also party presidency, is so far the
only declared candidate for the Sept. 14 election, many of the groupings will
start making bold moves this week with a key question in mind -- which of the
factions will support Kan's reelection and which will attempt to block it?
Among Kan's backers, a group of around 20 lawmakers led by Finance Minister
Yoshihiko Noda is scheduled to hold a meeting Tuesday. They are expected to
consider how to make it easy for Kan to be reelected.
The faction led by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who has yet to clarify
his position regarding the upcoming election, will also meet on Thursday with a
notable guest expected -- Ichiro Ozawa, who is known for maintaining his
distance from Kan.
Ozawa, a former DPJ secretary general and Japanese political heavyweight, and
those close to him are now considering joining the Hatoyama group's meeting,
attracting attention from other party groupings, DPJ lawmakers said.
The Hatoyama and Ozawa factions may decide to field a single candidate who
could possibly secure the support of around 200 members, nearly half of the
party's lawmakers, posing a serious threat to Kan's reelection.
Ozawa and then party president Hatoyama stepped down in May to take
responsibility for their respective political funding scandals.
Among other groups, the one led by Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Minister Seiji Maehara will hold a meeting Friday and is expected to confirm
the faction's support for Kan.
Meanwhile, the faction led by Kan himself plans to refrain from similar
activities in an effort to maintain a low profile and avoid a backlash against
the premier over the party's setback in last month's House of Councillors'
election, in which the DPJ-led ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper
house, some party lawmakers said.
But Ozawa, who has wielded influence at various turning points in Japanese
political history, remains the focus of attention, analysts say.
Ozawa, who has refrained from making media appearances since quitting as DPJ
secretary general, is expected to address the public later this month, possibly
on Aug. 25, after the factions end their meetings, lawmakers said.
==Kyodo
While Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who is also party presidency, is so far the
only declared candidate for the Sept. 14 election, many of the groupings will
start making bold moves this week with a key question in mind -- which of the
factions will support Kan's reelection and which will attempt to block it?
Among Kan's backers, a group of around 20 lawmakers led by Finance Minister
Yoshihiko Noda is scheduled to hold a meeting Tuesday. They are expected to
consider how to make it easy for Kan to be reelected.
The faction led by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who has yet to clarify
his position regarding the upcoming election, will also meet on Thursday with a
notable guest expected -- Ichiro Ozawa, who is known for maintaining his
distance from Kan.
Ozawa, a former DPJ secretary general and Japanese political heavyweight, and
those close to him are now considering joining the Hatoyama group's meeting,
attracting attention from other party groupings, DPJ lawmakers said.
The Hatoyama and Ozawa factions may decide to field a single candidate who
could possibly secure the support of around 200 members, nearly half of the
party's lawmakers, posing a serious threat to Kan's reelection.
Ozawa and then party president Hatoyama stepped down in May to take
responsibility for their respective political funding scandals.
Among other groups, the one led by Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Minister Seiji Maehara will hold a meeting Friday and is expected to confirm
the faction's support for Kan.
Meanwhile, the faction led by Kan himself plans to refrain from similar
activities in an effort to maintain a low profile and avoid a backlash against
the premier over the party's setback in last month's House of Councillors'
election, in which the DPJ-led ruling coalition lost its majority in the upper
house, some party lawmakers said.
But Ozawa, who has wielded influence at various turning points in Japanese
political history, remains the focus of attention, analysts say.
Ozawa, who has refrained from making media appearances since quitting as DPJ
secretary general, is expected to address the public later this month, possibly
on Aug. 25, after the factions end their meetings, lawmakers said.
==Kyodo
