Hashimoto Endorsed for Prime Minister

TOKYO: Three rival Japanese political parties have joined forces to ensure trade minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's victory as Japan's next prime minister in Thursday's parliamentary vote. United against New Frontier Party leader Ichiro Ozawa, the coalition is comprised of Hashimoto's conservative Liberal Democrats, the centrist Sakigake party, and the leftist Socialists. "What unifies these parties primarily is the desire to avoid scheduling elections," notes Tokyo bureau chief Edward Desmond. "The bargain was originally to let a Socialist be prime minister; now it's the LDP's turn." Hashimoto has gained popularity and a reputation as a tough negotiator after participating in trade talks with U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor. His main priorities are reenergizing Japan's flagging economy through massive public spending and deregulation. Having served just 18 months, current Prime Minister Tommiichi Murayama attributed his resignation to the strain of the past year's events which included the gas attack on Tokyo's subways and the Kobe earthquake.