Compromise in Japan

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33706, 2 December 1974, Page 17

Compromise in Japan

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) TOKYO, December 1. The former Japanese Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Takeo Miki, was put forward today as a compromise successor to the Prime Minister (Mr Kakuei Tanaka), but his confirmation was dependent on the reluctant agreement of the Finance Minister (Mr Masayoshi Ohira).

Mr Ohira, a prime contender for the top Government post, said that he still favoured an election within the Liberal Democratic Party (L.D.P.), but would abide by a decision of the party executive.

An L.D.P. spokesman said he could not say when the executive would meet, but political observers believed it would meet tomorrow to bring an end to the political confusion in Japan.

Mr Miki’s name was proposed by the L.D.P. vicepresident, Mr Etsusaburo Shiina, as a compromise solution because of the apparently insoluble differences remaining between the two main contenders, Mr Ohira and the former Finance Minister, Mr Takeo Fukuda. Mr Tanaka, aged 56, announced his intention to resign last Tuesday to take political and moral responsibility about questions concerning his financial affairs.

Mr Fukuda, aged 69, and the International Trade Minister, Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone, aged 56, both agreed today to the Miki nomination after consulting their followers in the Diet. Four other minor factions in the Diet also said that they would support Mr Miki. who had resigned from the Cabinet last July in protest against Mr Tanaka’s “big money policies.” But the faction supporting Mr Ohira expressed dissatisfaction and said that they would leave a decision to him. Mr Ohira, in turn, said that he would await a decision on the part of the party executive.