The Yomiuri Shimbun
Prime Minister Taro Aso on Friday reiterated his determination to dissolve the House of Representatives, apparently with an election in early August in mind.
"I'll make that decision on the timing [of the dissolution] when the time is right," Aso told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office.
Aso also is reportedly considering a change to the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership to boost the party's preparedness for the lower house election.
The prime minister is expected to decide whether he actually will change the party leadership after considering reactions by party members to the idea.
Aso discussed the timing of the dissolution with New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
Ota told the prime minister that he should not dissolve the lower house before the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, scheduled for July 12.
"It [the metropolitan assembly election] is very important," Ota said. "Though it'll be a fierce race, we must win it."
Official campaigning for that election begins next Friday, with the vote on July 12 and ballot counting to begin the same day.
Mentioning the meeting between Aso and Ota, a senior New Komeito member told reporters Friday: "Ota called me after he met the prime minister and told me, 'He [Aso] didn't mention a dissolution for July 2.' We understand that as meaning he isn't planning a dissolution on the 2nd [of July]."
The prime minister is expected to decide when to dissolve the lower house immediately after the outcome of the metropolitan assembly election.
At a press conference Thursday, Aso said the dissolution would be "in the not-so-distant future," making some lawmakers suspect he might dissolve the lower house before the metropolitan assembly election campaign officially begins next Friday. However, one of Aso's close aides said Friday, "The dissolution will be after the Tokyo assembly election."
The focus in a possible change to senior LDP posts will be on whether Aso replaces Secretary General Hiroyuki Hosoda, Policy Research Council Chairman Kosuke Hori and General Council Chairman Takashi Sasagawa.
Some LDP members have already expressed opposition to an LDP leadership change.
Regarding this, Aso simply said to reporters Friday, "I know that opinions differ."
(Jun. 27, 2009)
Posts
