New PM vows to push reforms:
Japan’s new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga started his first full day in office Thursday with a resolve to push forward popular reforms.
“I’m determined to work hard for the people and get results so we can live up to their expectations,” Suga told reporters as he walked into the prime minister’s office.
Suga was formally elected Wednesday to replace Shinzo Abe, who announced last month that he planned to step down due to ill health.
While Suga won the backing of fellow ruling party lawmakers with a pledge to carry on Abe’s policies and work on Abe’s unfinished goals, he is also pushing for some policy changes of his own.
In a departure from Abe, Suga said he will discontinue cherry blossom-viewing parties. Abe was accused of using taxpayers’ money to entertain constituents at the annual gathering.
Suga told reporters Thursday that there will be no longer a budget for such events. Suga did not say if he planned to investigate if cherry blossom party funds were properly handled in the past. (AP)