With a new Cabinet at the helm, the Diet has completed a round of plenary debates following a policy speech by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. The first order of business for the Mori Cabinet, despite the extraordinary events preceding its inception, is to present its political vision to the nation. But the new prime minister has not tried to articulate his own ideals and policies. It seems he has missed this first opportunity to publicly establish his own identity in specific terms.
Leading off the Lower House debate, Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, head of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, criticized "the lack of transparency" in the way Mr. Mori was picked as former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's successor, raising questions about "the legitimacy" of the new administration. His claim, endorsed by other opposition parties, is not unfounded. In fact, there is much doubt as well as criticism among the public, not only about the back-room maneuvers staged by a handful of Liberal Democratic and government leaders after Mr. Obuchi collapsed, but also about the same-as-usual factional process of choosing the LDP president.
Mr. Mori spurned the opposition charges's and stressed that there was "nothing wrong" with the selection process, that he has been duly elected prime minister in both houses of the Diet, and that doubt about the legitimacy of his Cabinet is "misplaced." But he did acknowledge shortcomings in the crisis-management system and said he has ordered a study of plans to improve it, including naming an interim acting prime minister in advance. This is a step in the right direction.