Kihara Defends Deputy Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato’s Position
Amid public outcry, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara has said he would not replace Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato. The news comes as more and more people are calling on Sato to step down because of his supposed role in the Liberal Democratic Party’s slush funds issue.
Kihara remarked that Sato’s ongoing service is necessary for the administration to preserve stability and restore public trust. He stressed that Sato should keep his concentration on doing his job well and being open about any problems.
Source: The Japan Times
Political Scandal Sparks Calls for Accountability
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has come under fire when it was found that they had not registered political donations. Opposition MPs have asked Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to fire officials who are involved in the scandal, including Sato.
Kihara added that the government is still dedicated to letting due process decide who is responsible, even if there is a lot of criticism. He said that changing leaders will not instantly fix underlying trust problems in the administration.
Opposition Challenges Takaichi’s Appointment Decision
Opposition parties are quite angry with Prime Minister Takaichi’s choice to make Sato the deputy chief cabinet secretary. Some lawmakers say that his involvement in the probe hurts the government’s credibility.
Since the controversy broke, Sato, a member of the House of Councillors, has not had to run for re-election. Some others say that keeping him in a high-level position goes against the administration’s promise to be open and honest and to make changes to the way things are done.
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Government Emphasizes Duty and Performance Over Politics
Kihara said again that Sato’s job is very important for the smooth running of cabinet operations and cooperation across ministries. He said that the future of government workers should be based on their performance and responsibility, not on political pressure.
Kihara said, “The most important thing is to make sure that the government works well and gives the Japanese people real results.” He went on to say that Sato’s attempts to reestablish confidence via good government will speak louder than any rumors.
Upper House Lawmakers Refuse Cooperation With Sato
Members of the Upper House who are in the opposition have said they will not work with Sato in his official role. Their refusal has caused problems during Diet sessions, making it harder to carry out talks about government policies.
Even if there is an impasse, the Takaichi government is still working on its legislative agenda. Officials noted that persistent problems with parliamentary business might push back discussions on important changes to the economy and defense.
Diet Sessions Proceed Amid Political Tension
The steering committee of the Upper House said that sessions on Prime Minister Takaichi’s policy address will go on next week. Starting Wednesday, lawmakers will have two days of question-and-answer sessions during plenary meetings.
The talks will likely center on the government’s plans for change, its budgetary discipline, and how it handled the slush funds issue. People feel that the exchanges will be a very important test of Takaichi’s ability to lead.
Restoring Trust Through Transparent Governance
Analysts say that how well the administration handles the dispute will affect its long-term political stability. To rebuild trust, you need to show that you are responsible while keeping your policies consistent even when the public is still skeptical.
Kihara said that the administration is still devoted to ethical government and openness in institutions. He was sure that solid leadership and clear communication would eventually help people trust government institutions again.
