'Koizumi Children' cast doubt on DPJ's capability to govern

Thursday 23rd July, 06:09 AM JST

TOKYO —

Three prominent politicians dubbed as ‘‘Koizumi Children,’’ or those who won their Diet seats in a 2005 general election with support from then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, cast doubt Wednesday on the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan’s capability to govern the country.

Satsuki Katayama, 50, Kuniko Inoguchi, 57, and Yukari Sato, 47, of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who are seeking to be reelected in the Aug 30 lower house poll, questioned at a press conference in Tokyo whether the DPJ can secure enough funds to deliver pledged subsidies and unite in working out security policies.

Katayama, a former Finance Ministry bureaucrat who will run in a constituency in Shizuoka Prefecture, pointed out that if the DPJ keeps its word and offers 26,000 yen in monthly child-raising allowances, it would cost revenues worth 2 percentage points of the current 5 percent consumption tax.

The major opposition party also promises to wave all highway tolls and provide subsidies to farmers. In order to secure necessary revenues to finance the measures, the party plans to drastically cut the government’s spending.

But Katayama argued such a sharp reduction in expenditures would ‘‘radically worsen people’s living standards’’ and does ‘‘not seem realistic.’‘

On the security front, Sato aired concerns about a chasm within the DPJ. The party has members who once belonged to the Social Democratic Party opposing any revision of Japan’s war-renouncing Constitution, and those taking a hawkish stance.

‘‘When it comes down to national security issues, I think the DPJ is the last party to get unified on this policy front,’’ said Sato, who will contest in a Tokyo electoral district. She is a former Credit Suisse economist.

‘‘If a missile from North Korea can arrive in Japan within 10 minutes, what will they do?’’ she asked. ‘‘Within 10 minutes, they cannot be unified and this is going to be a major disaster.’‘

Inoguchi, a former professor of international politics at Sophia University, accused the DPJ of lacking a ‘‘full and comprehensive foreign policy and security agenda.’‘

The former state minister in charge of tackling the nation’s declining birthrate also said the DPJ tends to ‘‘copy’’ what has been successful among the ruling camp’s policy initiatives. For example, the party’s pledge to do away with public high school tuition was originally her idea, she argued.

‘‘They should have their own creative policy mind,’’ said Inoguchi, who will run as an LDP Tokyo candidate in the proportional representation section.

She said she wants the DPJ to constitute one of the two pillars in Japanese politics, referring to the two-party system of the LDP and the DPJ. ‘‘But this summer, they are not well prepared,’’ Inoguchi added.

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14 Comments

minello7 at 08:30 AM JST - 23rd July

It seems the LDP has gone into panic mode?
Scrote at 08:30 AM JST - 23rd July

"If a missile from North Korea can arrive in Japan within 10 minutes, what will they do?" she asked. "Within 10 minutes, they cannot be unified and this is going to be a major disaster."

More scare tactics. It reminds me of the lies about Iraq being 45 minutes from launching a non-existent missile.

The child raising allowance could be paid for by cutting spending on needless construction projects and shutting down agencies full of retired bureaucrats. The savings in bribes paid to LDP politicians will also help close the funding gap.
tkoind2 at 10:24 AM JST - 23rd July

LDP says "BE AFRAID!!!!!" "Only we can lead you!!!!"

People should say: "We are afraid, to let you continue to lead us."

Reality says. "Neither party is fit to lead."

And I say: Change is necessary to force the people of Japan to take a greater interest in their political welfare. Even if it means harder times ahead. Only change can cause long term improvement to begin.
fds at 11:02 AM JST - 23rd July

not too long ago, the japanese government didn't even know north korea launched a missile till the u.s. told them. so what did they do in the 10 minutes? nothing. so what's the diff? nothing. except who gets to spend our tax money.
Statistician at 11:14 AM JST - 23rd July

She said she wants the DPJ to constitute one of the two pillars in Japanese politics, referring to the two-party system of the LDP and the DPJ. ‘‘But this summer, they are not well prepared,’’ Inoguchi added.

What an arrogant woman. Doe she think that a clown like Aso is doing any better?
terebiko at 11:21 AM JST - 23rd July

What would the LDP do in those 10 minutes? Look at how disorganized they are right at ths very moment. The question "Who's in charge?", comes to mind. If NK wanted to launch a surprise attack, election time would be the best time. I can see everyone busily removing their white gloves and jumping from the cars blaring their "vote for me" slogans.
Patrick Smash at 02:47 PM JST - 23rd July

What is anyone going to do in 10 minutes if a nuke gets lobbed on top of them? Time we saw the back of the LDP, even if the DPJ is no better.
sf2k at 02:55 PM JST - 23rd July

seems LDP made some interesting policy questions here, probably more than I've seen all year, yet the article has zero DPJ responses. Any reason for that? Not that I can vote or anything, as I have my own countries problems, but I'd still be interested in the responses.

Is DPJ quieter than normal or about the same? They have a huge lead, I guess they don't want to blow it.
tkoind2 at 03:17 PM JST - 23rd July

More likely the LDP have more of the media in their pocket. So LPD gets more air time and DPJ will have to catch up somehow.

The whole thing is depressing. No hopeful leaders, two incompetent parties. One fat and bloated from mishandling the nation, and one ill prepared to do anything different. Very sad.
stirfry at 03:19 PM JST - 23rd July

well they're correct in the context of nobody in japan has the capability to govern
Triple888 at 12:22 AM JST - 24th July

Neither can govern. Let's go back to imperialism.
sharky1 at 05:14 AM JST - 24th July

Looks like the LDP is in control of the mass media machine...Haven't seen anything from the DPJ concerning the incompetence of the current administration...
Simon_Foston at 09:38 AM JST - 24th July

Yeah right, as if the LDP have done such a great job since the "Koizumi children" got elected.
Triumvere at 07:00 PM JST - 24th July

Tripple888, you are going to have to reach way back; the Emperor hasn't ruled since Asuka-jidai.