tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post2249895109289650883..comments2023-10-09T00:45:55.603+09:00Comments on Shisaku: Asō Tarō the CringeworthyMTChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04626942240117432624noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6714063.post-55375747310911909882008-10-23T11:29:00.000+09:002008-10-23T11:29:00.000+09:00Sir, your impression of Mr Aso's effort at the com...Sir, your impression of Mr Aso's effort at the common touch appears to be shared, <BR/><BR/>Tokyo, Oct. 22 Kyodo -- Prime Minister Taro Aso on Wednesday tried to fend off criticism over his frequent evening visits to luxury hotels for wining and dining, saying that "hotels are inexpensive" and that he uses his pocket money for payments.<BR/><BR/>A lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan criticized Aso the same day, saying the prime minister's dining in hotels proves that his recent trip to a supermarket was "nothing more than a performance." Aso apparently made the visit to get a glimpse of ordinary people's lives hit hard by high prices.<BR/><BR/>The matter has drawn attention since recent media reports that Aso has been holding meetings at night in hotels, including the Imperial Hotel and Hotel Okura in Tokyo, and other places since taking office in late September.<BR/><BR/>"To me, I have the feeling that a hotel bar is a safe and inexpensive place to use when meeting many people," Aso said around noon when a reporter noted that his behavior seems to be out of touch with ordinary people.<BR/><BR/>Aso said he is often followed by around 30 newspaper reporters and also guarded by police officers who could disrupt business at some establishments and he could receive complaints as a result. But, he said, most hotels do not make such complaints.<BR/><BR/>"This has been my style up to now and I have no intention of changing it at the moment," he said.<BR/><BR/>Aso appeared irritated at one point, telling the reporter that she was "making a story as if I'm going to a high-class Japanese-style restaurant every night" and that she should refrain from such a "nasty" way of questioning.<BR/><BR/>Although Aso seemed to have wanted to say that hotels are less expensive than exclusive clubs or traditional Japanese-style restaurants, even some ruling party members are questioning his behavior.<BR/><BR/>A middle-rank ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker said, "Given the sluggish economy, he should refrain from lavish wining and dining."<BR/><BR/>Susumu Yanase, the DPJ's Diet affairs chief in the House of Councillors, criticized Aso, saying, "He goes to a supermarket to take a peep at ordinary people's lives and then goes to an ultra-rich hotel to dine at night."<BR/><BR/>"I get the impression that visiting a supermarket and other places is nothing more than a performance," he added.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com