TOKYO - Outspoken conservative Taro Aso took power as Japan’s prime minister yesterday promising “emergency measures” to revive the ailing economy and vowing to keep Tokyo in the fight against global terrorism.
Aso, 68, swept into office after his predecessor, Yasuo Fukuda, abruptly resigned. The former foreign minister is tasked with rejuvenating the failing ruling party ahead of snap elections he could call before the end of the year.
The straight-talking former Olympic skeetshooter gave no hints about when he would call such a ballot, but he stocked his Cabinet with familiar ruling party faces to bolster the image of stability.
Aso, elected earlier in the day by parliament, took a populist stance that could resonate with financially troubled voters in his first news conference after his election.
“We must take care of the economy, including emergency economic measures,” Aso said. “The economy has declined over the past year, and we have to think about how to support the people, including small and medium size businesses.”
Aso announced no details, but he has backed using fiscal spending to stave off a deep recession, and said he would not consider raising the 5 percent consumption tax for at least three years.
The right-leaning political blueblood — his grandfather was a prominent postwar prime minister — also said he would push to extend Japan’s maritime anti-terror mission in the Indian Ocean, despite the opposition’s attempts to block it.
“The mission is not for Afghanistan, the U.S. or for Pakistan, but it’s a responsibility as a member of the international community to fight against terrorism,” Aso said. “We must continue the mission by all means.”
Aso, Japan’s first Catholic leader, will lead a country wracked by political divisions and spiking concerns over the economy, which has stalled amid the ballooning financial crisis in the United States.
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