Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reshuffled his Cabinet on Oct. 31 and gave key posts to three possible contenders to succeed him in the country's top job.
|
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his new Cabinet |
The three candidates for Koizumi's job are deputy LDP Secretary General Shinzo Abe, who was appointed chief Cabinet secretary; Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Taro Aso, who received the foreign minister's portfolio; and Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, who has been reappointed.
Abe, who enjoys wide public popularity because of his hardline stances on diplomatic issues, has long been seen as the front runner.
Meanwhile, Koizumi has warned his Cabinet that they must be careful what they say - a reference to Justice Minister Seiken Sugiura.
Sugiura, a former practicing lawyer, had said earlier he would not sign execution orders due to "matters of my heart, religion and philosophy," but was later forced to withdraw his remarks.
The question of whether a justice minister will sign execution orders is always the focus of public attention. (The Japan Times)
Shukan ST: Nov. 11, 2005
(C) All rights reserved
- reshuffles his Cabinet
- 内閣改造を行なう
- possible contenders to 〜
- 〜するとみられる候補者
- succeed 〜
- 〜の後継となる
- country's top job
- 首相のこと
- candidates
- 候補者
- deputy LDP Secretary General
- 自民党幹事長代理
- was appointed 〜
- 〜に任命された
- chief Cabinet secretary
- 官房長官
- Internal Affairs and Communications Minister
- 総務相
- portfolio
- 職、地位
- has been reappointed
- 再任された
- hardline stances
- 強硬な姿勢
- diplomatic issues
- 外交問題
- front runner
- 一番手
- has warned 〜
- 〜に注意した
- reference to 〜
- 〜への言及
- Justice Minister
- 法務相
- former 〜
- 元〜
- practicing lawyer
- 開業弁護士
- execution orders
- 死刑執行命令
- (was)forced to 〜
- 〜させられた
- withdraw his remarks
- 発言を撤回する
|