“I intend to firmly fulfill my duty until that time comes” these are the words of Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan after he refused the call for his resignation.
Last weekend foreign minister Seij Maehara stepped down after the funding scandal issue. This instance has added to the impression of a government disorder. But Prime Minister Kan said to the parliament that he intended to fulfill his duties until elections which must be held by late 2013.
The upper house which is mostly controlled by the members of opposition is now threatening to block budget bills.
Predictions are being made by some political commentators in Japan that Naoto’s government is going to collapse soon but Kan is determined to resist it.
In one of the parliamentary session Prime Minister Kan said that he is determined to carry out the administration duties for four years and then the people will decide at the ballot box what is the best for them.
Reporters said that even before the funding scandal, Mr. Kan is already battling to stave off opposition calls for an early general election. This problem made him struggle to p(–foul word(s) removed–) bills, especially the trillion dollar budget for the new financing year which begins next month.
Mr. Maehara has been seen as a potential successor to Mr. Kan but he stepped down after he acknowledged that he accepted political donation from a foreign national which is illegal in Japan if done intentionally. He only stayed on his job for six months.
According to reports the amount accepted by Mr. Maehara is 50,000 yen ($610) as a political donation from a Korean national which is residing in Japan.
Japan is strictly prohibiting officials to accept outside money to prevent foreign powers to influence on their domestic politics. While the position is vacant, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio is appointed to act as temporary Foreign Minister.