Japanese Cabinet resigns ahead of Koizumi's plans to reshuffle government

[Judi Lynn]

Japanese Cabinet resigns ahead of Koizumi's plans to reshuffle government

AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press Writer
Sunday, September 26, 2004


(09-26) 21:56 PDT TOKYO (AP) --

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's entire Cabinet resigned Monday ahead of a planned reshuffle that the Japanese leader hopes will solidify his power and boost his ability to carry out reforms.

Ministers submitted their resignations during a meeting at the prime minister's official residence, former Environment Minister Yuriko Koike told reporters after leaving the gathering.

"I decided to reshuffle the Cabinet today because it is time to work harder on privatizing the postal service, structural reform and other reforms," Koizumi told the meeting, spokesman Hiroyuki Hosoda said.

Koizumi, who has been flagging in the polls and facing opposition within his own party, is seeking to unite his divided party behind contentious reforms.
(snip/...)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/09/26/international2306EDT0628.DTL

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[burrowowl]

1. Very nice

collage.
Love contrast between the 2 PMs and their Stetsons!

[truthisfreedom]

2. it's hard to wear the "good guy" hat when the bad guy gives it to you.

it's stained.