Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto stressed Sept. 12 that his new Cabinet contains the best lineup possible for tackling the intensive reforms he is pursuing.
He also defended his appointment of Koko Sato, a House of Representatives member with a previous bribery conviction, to the Cabinet, saying he must be given "a second chance."
"Strong political leadership is indispensable to reform the nation's administrative system and fiscal structure," Hashimoto told a press conference ... I designate the next three years as a period of intensive reform. We are coming to the crucial point of our tasks," the prime minister said, reiterating firm resolution to accomplish his policy pledges.