Abe resolute to continue antiterror support, reflecting defeat

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe showed his determination to continue Japan's support of U.S.-led antiterrorism operations in the Indian Ocean, noting in a policy address Monday, the first day of the extraordinary Diet session, that withdrawing the deployment of refueling ships would be an abandonment of Japan's ''international responsibility.''

Speaking to parliament for the first time since the devastating setback in the July House of Councillors election, the 52-year-old premier plagued by endless scandals involving his Cabinet ministers clearly made an attempt to tone down the rhetoric on his conservative and nationalistic political ambitions compared to his previous speeches a year ago and in January.

Instead, he emphasized from the onset his priority to tackle the public's top concerns that have cost him the election -- social and regional disparities and public pension. Abe reiterated that he had ''deeply reflected'' on the election defeat but insisted he will continue in power to ''fight for the people.''

''I am well aware that some say I should step down given the harsh public opinion reflected'' in the election, Abe said. He added, however, ''We must by all means depart from the postwar regime. I have set my mind on continuing my premiership as we must not let the reforms stop.''

Abe only referred to his ''beautiful nation'' vision once in Monday's speech, compared to eight times in his inaugural address last September. The issue of revising the pacifist Constitution, which topped his political agenda upon taking office, was only mentioned in a two-sentence paragraph where he simply expressed hopes for further discussions on it.

Abe also stopped using another of his favorite yet widely criticized phrases -- ''challenge for a second chance'' in reference to those who have failed in their businesses or other aspects of life. Instead, he promised efforts by the central government to revive local economies and ensure the fruits of reforms are distributed to rural areas.

Touching upon his recent Cabinet shuffle, Abe said it was to ''restart'' his new nation-building vision, in words that may well be taken as an implicit acknowledgment of the failure of his policies over the past 12 months.

''The Self-Defense Force members who carry out their tasks dutifully under the scorching heat in the Indian Ocean, that is the kind of international contribution that the world is anticipating from Japan,'' Abe said of the SDF deployment that is expected to dominate discussions during the 62-day Diet session through Nov. 10.

''Is it really alright to pull out now and abandon our international responsibility?'' he said while reminding the parliament that 24 Japanese nationals died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. ''I ask for your understanding so that the activities can be continued.''

Monday's policy speech came just a day after Abe indicated he is ready to resign if he fails to get parliament to extend the refueling mission in the Indian Ocean beyond the Nov. 1 expiration of an antiterrorism law.

The opposition bloc led by the Democratic Party of Japan is set to block the extension in the upper house, where it has taken over the majority in the July election. DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa has repeatedly expressed his firm stance, even to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. Ambassador to Tokyo Thomas Schieffer.

But Abe gave assurances of his commitments to the extension to U.S. President George W. Bush and Australian Prime minister John Howard during talks on the sidelines of a regional summit in Sydney over the weekend.

Although Abe's ruling coalition still holds a comfortable majority in the more powerful House of Representatives, political gridlock is expected in this parliament session as the opposition can now use their upper house majority to adopt censure motions against the administration and cast a nay vote that could delay legislation passage.

''I hope to deepen constructive discussions with the opposition parties and will do my best to reach each (policy) conclusion carefully and courteously,'' Abe said, in clear contrast to the ruling bloc's repeated railroading of bills past parliament in the ordinary Diet session earlier this year.

On the diplomatic front, Abe reiterated that Japan will step up its cooperation with other nations to resolve North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals, and its nuclear and missile standoffs.

Amid dim prospects for progress on the abduction issue, which was a pillar of the premier's popularity, Abe said, ''I will tackle this with an iron will until the return of all abductees is realized.''

For sustainable economic growth, Abe promised to open up the Japanese market for easier access from abroad. He also reiterated that administrative reforms and fiscal expenditure cuts will be implemented thoroughly, and that full-fledged discussions on tax reforms will be carried out.

Regarding the political funds and other money scandals that have tainted the administration and led to the election defeat, Abe said transparency must be further improved. But he stopped short of providing any specific measures, only saying he wants the parliament to thoroughly discuss a revision to the political funds control law.

In a clear effort to minimize elaboration on his political ideals and reference to his administration's achievements, Monday's speech was much shorter than his previous two. At about 4,900 words in Japanese, it was only half the length of his 9,400-word inaugural policy address in September last year and the 8,300-word speech at the opening of the ordinary Diet session in January.