Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono voiced concern Monday about prospects of a coalition government of seven opposition parties wresting power and shattering 38 years of uninterrupted rule by the Liberal Democratic Party.
While the seven are all trumpeting political reform, Kono, among those mentioned as a potential successor to Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa as party president, stressed they have yet to resolve differences over foreign and economic policies.With the opposition camp expected to agree this week on a candidate for prime minister, Kono said, "Although no one can doubt the importance of an urgent accord on political reform, there are many other pressing issues that a government must tackle immediately."
Kono's remarks at a news conference came as moves toward a bloc excluding the LDP and Japan Communist Party gained momentum.
He cited upcoming discussions on the reorganization of the U.N. Security Council and security in Asia as pressing concerns.
"I doubt if it is OK to leave divergences over these issues among political parties within a government," Kono said.
The Social Democratic Party, the newly formed Shinseito (Japan Renewal Party) of LDP rebels, Komeito (Clean Government Party), the Democratic Socialist Party and the United Social Democratic Party were planning caucuses to formally accept a set of conditions from two new conservative parties before forming a seven-party alliance.
The Japan New Party and Sakigake (Harbinger) insist the five support legislation overhauling Japan's electoral system,stronger anti-corruption measures and a ban on political donations from business corporations and organizations.
Shinseito leader Tsutomu Hata, Miyazawa's former finance minister, was widely tipped to be named the opposition's prime ministerial candidate.