InsideJapan News Network

Taro Aso, Japan's prime minister pledged today (January 28th) to create 1.6 million jobs in the country over the next two years.

In a speech aimed at calming fears about the effects of the global economic downturn on the Japanese economy, Mr Aso said he would enact basic tax reforms as part of a package measures.

Mizuho Fukushima, leader of the Social Democratic Party, described Mr Aso as "hopeless".

He commented: "It was totally an empty, laid-back speech when he should be alarmed by growing calls for his resignation. We'll drive him into a corner so he would have to call elections promptly."

Recently, a poll by TV Tokyo and the Nikkei business newspaper found that just 21 per cent of voters said they would vote for Mr Aso's Liberal Democratic Party in any future election, compared to 40 per cent for the opposition Democratic Party of Japan.


Related news stories:
Aso speaks of leadership credentials (2nd September 2008)
Aso to visit Obama in Washington (24th February 2009)
Minister's resignation increases pressure on Aso (13th January 2009)
Aso apologises for gaffe about Japan's OAPs (28th November 2008)