 |
|
Front Page | |
World | |
UK | |
UK Politics | |
Business | |
Sci/Tech | |
Health | |
Education | |
Sport | |
Entertainment | |
Talking Point | |
| |
| |
| |
| On Air Feedback Low Graphics Help |
|
Monday, June 1, 1998 Published at 11:40 GMT 12:40 UK
World: Asia-Pacific
Japan's coalition government split
300.jpg)
SDP leader Takako Doi (left) at a meeting to decide the future of the coalition
Japan's Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the smaller New Party Sakigake have ended their four-year old alliance with the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of parliamentary elections later this year. The SDP's leader Takako Doi told Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto that her party was ending co-operation in a split that comes as little surprise after frequent disputes over key issues such as defence and anti-corruption measures. Masayoshi Takemura, chairman of New Party Sakigake said: "Over the past year, the coalition was mainly driven at the LDP's pace and that left it in bad shape." But analysts say Prime Minister Hashimoto should have little trouble governing, the LDP holds 261 out of 500 seats in the powerful lower chamber and, holding eight seats fewer than needed for a majority in the 252-seat upper house should have little trouble gaining support from other parties when needed. Mr Hashimoto reflected on the alliance with the SDP: "Looking back over the past four years, I would like to heartily say thank-you." Half of the upper house seats will be at stake in elections scheduled for sometime in July.
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~56~RS~)
|
 Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia |
|
Relevant Stories
31 Mar 98 | Asem 2 Japan - a positive force in Asia? |
|
|