Fukuda accuses Minshuto of abusing its Diet power

Opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa found himself on the defensive Wednesday as Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda took him to task for his party's stand on recent issues that stalled Diet proceedings.

Yasuo Fukuda, left, and Ichiro Ozawa (ASAHI SHIMBUN PHOTOS)

Wednesday marked the first Diet debate in three months between the two politicians.

Fukuda blasted Ozawa, leader of Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan), for throwing up obstacles to key issues, such as the appointment of a new governor of the Bank of Japan and government moves to keep road-specific tax rates in place.

"Minshuto is slow in reaching a conclusion on important matters," Fukuda thundered. "Please tell me, who should we talk to, who can we trust?" said a visibly irate Fukuda.

The prime minister, hardly stopping for breath, then accused Minshuto of "abuse of power" for repeatedly blocking government attempts to fill the vacancy for governor at the central bank.

"Frankly speaking, I feel I've been thrown this way and that on this issue," an exasperated Fukuda said.

"It's as if (Minshuto) is exerting full authority over personnel appointment matters. There's a word for that; abuse of power, abuse of power over personnel affairs."(IHT/Asahi: April 10,2008)