Japanese opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa presented himself yesterday as the prime minister in waiting, pledging to slash wasteful spending and focus on public needs if his bloc wins looming elections.
In an address to parliament, Ozawa made a raft of policy promises including repairing the worn-out pension system, increasing the number of doctors and nurses and closing a widening gap between rich and poor.
The veteran political strategist offered a confident address from the podium at parliament, saying he would deliver a true “policy speech” after new Prime Minister Taro Aso’s combative remarks two days earlier.
“This is the first time in my 39 years as a lawmaker that I heard a prime minister’s policy speech that slandered the opposition,” said Ozawa, 66, head of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
“I will give you answers to your questions by giving my policy speech,” he said without looking at Aso.
Aso took office last week with a mission to help the Liberal Democratic Party defeat the rising opposition in elections that could come as soon as next month.
In his policy speech, Aso accused the opposition of being irresponsible by blocking legislation since it won a landmark victory last year to take control of one house of parliament.
“We want quick snap elections after having sufficient debate in parliament to show which party wants what kind of policy,” Ozawa said.
“The biggest issue is whether to continue the current government which keep wasting public money by giving a free hand to the bureaucracy, or to replace it with the DPJ-led new government to make a drastic change,” he said.
Ozawa has vowed to bring in more political appointees to reduce the power of the bureaucracy. He also pledged to offer more perks to Japanese who have more children to reverse a declining birthrate and to strengthen the farming and fisheries sectors.
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