Mori vows he'll win Japan's confidence

Lack of public confidence could drive Mori out of office before July

TOKYO, Japan -- Beleaguered Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori said on Monday that he would strive to enact key legislation in parliament while working to restore the public's confidence in his party and government.

Mori told reporters that the ruling parties rejected the no-confidence motion because the coalition's first priority was the nation.

"This [the show of support] was not for me personally, but because the coalition's first priority for the sake of the nation and the people was to protect the cabinet. That was appropriate, and I appreciate it," he said.

Mori added that he was aware of public criticism of his administration and said he would do his best to restore public trust. He also said there were many important bills pending in parliament, including budget-related legislation.

"To enact the legislation is my responsibility," he said.

Mori defeated the no-confidence motion, the second he has faced in his 11-month tenure, with votes against totalling 274 and those in favour 192. There are 480 seats in the Lower House. Mori's popularity rating in the polls, however, has been reduced to single digits, and he appears to have few supporters, even among the members of his own coalition.

His Liberal Democratic Party is worried Mori's unpopularity could damage its chances in upper house elections to be held in July.

'Confused' leadership

In a joint statement, the opposition parties blamed Mori for failing to lift the economy and noted that Tokyo stock prices have fallen to their lowest levels in 15 years.

They also criticized Mori for scandals that have tarnished his one-year administration and called his leadership "confused."

"We must get the country out of this critical situation as soon as possible, and restore the public's trust in their politicians," the opposition parties said in a statement announcing their reasons for submitting the motion.

Mori narrowly survived a no-confidence motion in November, after members of his own party who had threatened to vote against him backed down under intense pressure at the last minute.

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