New government lacks knowledge, integrity: LDP

Former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba, now chairman of Liberal Democratic Party’s Policy Research Council, criticizes the new government for lacking “knowledge” and “integrity”.

Ishiba said that the new Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) government undermined Japan’s security by trying to reduce the country’s dependence on US military support. He argued this showed that the
government lacked knowledge about security.

“We have to end this government quickly. Unless we can do that, it’s going to undermine our security,” Ishiba said in an interview.

However, Ishiba acknowledged that it would be difficult for the LDP to regain power anytime soon because the people disliked the LDP so much.

“People chose DPJ not because of the DPJ or Mr. Hatoyama but because they dislike the LDP’s old ways,” he said, adding that many of the LDP old guard had exercised their power not for the people but to enrich themselves. “We need a total rebirth of LDP,” he proclaimed.

He predicted that if LDP could clean itself up and transform its image, then it would take eight years at most for the party to regain power. Alternatively, he said, there would be some political realignment between DPJ and LDP.

- JP/Riyadi Suparno