EDITORIAL: Kan responsible for self-destructing Cabinet

Another state minister expressed his intention to resign. If it were a school, the situation would be classroom breakdown. But in this case, it is tantamount to Cabinet breakdown.

This time, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda told the Diet July 7: "Eventually, when the time comes, I will take responsibility."

He appears to be ready to step down in August when it becomes certain that the Diet will pass a bill to decide the framework of compensation for damage caused by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

It was only a few days ago that reconstruction minister Ryu Matsumoto resigned after only nine days in office.

Dealing with the damage of the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear energy policy are two major problems the Cabinet faces. The two key ministers in charge of those important tasks are quitting. The situation is extremely abnormal and serious for the administration.

Last month, having made a "declaration of safety" of nuclear power plants, Kaieda visited Saga Prefecture and explained that the government would be responsible for the safety of the Genkai nuclear power plant operated by Kyushu Electric Power Co. That is why the mayor of Genkai accepted the restart of reactor operations.

There was a chance that, after the March 11 earthquake, reactors of the Genkai nuclear power plant would become the first to resume operations among reactors that had been shut down.

However, Prime Minister Naoto Kan made an about-face to reconfirm safety and newly ordered the implementation of stress tests, prompting the Genkai mayor to retract his approval.

Kaieda says he will take responsibility for causing such confusion in the local community.

To begin with, it was unreasonable to hastily declare the safety of nuclear power plants after the Fukushima accident.

If Kaieda is angry that he was forced to lose face, it is a shame.

But what we are even more surprised at is the fact that communication was lacking within the Cabinet over such urgent matters as the restart of nuclear reactors.

The prime minister is responsible for this mess. If he had stopped Kaieda before the declaration of safety and ordered stress tests, the confusion would not have taken place.

Of course, there is no need to hesitate to make changes after the declaration. Be that as it may, first, the Cabinet needs to clarify its view. It is also strange that it remains uncertain whether the tests are a prerequisite for restarts.

In order to give shape to policies, the first step is to create a team whose members are willing to work hard together. The prime minister is making light of this point. The proposed implementation of stress tests is an example.

Even if leaders show a good direction, politics will not move forward if they cannot properly advance an initiative and the team falls apart. It means the end of an administration.

The prime minister has cited "three conditions for his resignation," such as the establishment of a law to approve the issuance of deficit-covering bonds and the special measures law on renewable energy sources. We also believe they are all needed. That is why we have been demanding that ruling and opposition parties promptly meet the three conditions.

But does the Cabinet, which is self-destructing, still have the power to complete the tasks? As things now stand, we have no choice but to express strong misgivings.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 8