Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Inauguration of the Aso Cabinet

The Aso Cabinet was inaugurated on September 24, 2008. On the afternoon of the 24th, votes to elect the Prime Minister took place in both Houses of the Diet. Since the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors disagreed and no agreement was reached even through a joint committee of both Houses, Mr. Taro Aso, a member of the House of Representatives, who was elected the Prime Minister by the House of Representatives, was designated the Prime Minister according to the Constitution of Japan which stipulates that the decision of the House of Representatives shall be the decision of the Diet. Prime Minister Aso became the 92nd Prime Minister (the 59th person to assume the post) since Hirobumi Ito, the first Prime Minister of Japan.

Immediately after the designation, Prime Minister Aso formed a new Cabinet at the Prime Minister's Office.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Aso held a press conference, in which he said, "On this occasion, the grave responsibility of the premiership has fallen upon my shoulders, and I am already feeling its weight. In particular, I have taken sternly to heart the fact that we are in the midst of a crisis encompassing the people's anxiety about the economy, dissatisfaction about their daily lives, and distrust in politics. I consider that my mission is to make Japan a vibrant and strong nation." To that end, Prime Minister Aso expressed his determination, saying, "I pledge to rise to challenges ahead of us and to devote myself to overcoming them by bringing to bear all the experience at my disposal."

Prime Minister Aso himself then announced the list of Cabinet members and concluded his remarks by saying, "First, proceed with policies focused on the people. Second, exercise effective command over the civil servants in your respective posts. And third -- there is no limit to the number of things I could mention but -- keep in mind the national interest. Ministers should focus not on the interests of their ministries but on the national interest. The most important thing is to focus on the national interest."

At midnight, Prime Minister Aso attended the investiture of the Prime Minister and the attestation ceremony of the appointment of the Ministers of State at the Imperial Palace, which marked the official inauguration of the Aso Cabinet. Back at the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Aso held the first Cabinet meeting and a photo session with his new Cabinet members.

Related Link

• Press Conference by Prime Minister Taro Aso (September 24, 2008)