(cctv.com)
Updated: 2007-07-31 15:36

July 31 - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is rejecting calls for his resignation. The refusal to step down follows the defeat of his scandal-ridden coalition in the upper house elections.

Speaking at a news conference, Abe acknowledged his responsibility for the huge defeat in upper house polls. Official election results released early on Monday showed Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, the New Komeito, with a total of 103 seats -- far short of the 122 needed to control the house. The main opposition, the Democratic Party, made a huge gain of 112 seats.

Abe said, "We received severe results for our party at this election. All responsibilities for the election ultimately lie with me. We need to rethink what we need to do. I think it's my mission to stabilize the rebounding economy, now that the economy is finally on its way to recovery. I reckon it's my responsibility to fulfill this mission."

Critics say Abe, who pledged to boost Japan's security profile, rewrite its pacifist constitution, and nurture patriotism in schools, was out of touch with voters, who were more concerned with bread-and-butter issues, such as pensions and health care. The public was also outraged by over millions of missing pension records and a series of political scandals plaguing Abe's party.

"I think we have to think about whether the real reform continues. And that is a different issue from this election result."

However, Abe shot down suggestions that he should call snap elections in parliament's lower house to re-establish his political mandate. Instead, he announced plans to shuffle his cabinet and the party leadership, possibly as early as September.

Abe said, "I think the voice of the people of Japan is asking for a clean-up of the cabinet. First, we need to open an extraordinary diet session. After that, I plan to reshuffle the cabinet and top party posts at an appropriate time."

The Liberal Democratic Party remains in control of the lower house, which chooses the prime minister. Thus,it still controls the government. But its number 2 official, Secretary-General Hidenao Nakagawa, has resigned in the face of recent scandals and mounting losses. And the defeat is a clear sign of Abe's tumbling fortunes and a dramatic reversal of the stellar support he enjoyed when he took office less than a year ago.