Japan ruling party loses key post
Democrat becomes first opposition member to lead parliament’s upper house.
Published On 7 Aug 2007
Eda, the former chief of Japan’s Science and Technology Agency, has served three terms in the upper house and four terms in the lower house.
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“I think voters’ expectations for the upper house are now extremely high” Satsuki Eda, newly elected upper house president |
“The makeup of the upper house has drastically changed after the upper house elections and we are facing a political situation we have never faced before,” he told the session.
“I think voters’ expectations for the upper house are now extremely high.”
The upper house also elected Akiko Santo, a member of the LDP, as vice-president.
Abe has refused to step down despite sagging popularity and calls for his departure following a series of scandals including missing pension records and misuse of political funds.
Since he took office last September, three cabinet ministers have resigned and one committed suicide.
A cabinet reshuffle is expected later this month, according to the local media.