Prime Minister Taro Aso drew quick fire Saturday after he told a Yokohama gathering of young people the "elderly have no talents other than working."
Speaking at a meeting of the Junior Chamber International Japan, Aso pointed out the differences between youths and seniors, saying, "It would be too late if you (meeting participants) learned to play after the age of 80."
Later in the day, the gaffe-prone prime minister said his remark was in the context of encouraging elderly people to continue to work.
"I told (the Yokohama meeting) that providing job opportunities to elderly people in good health will open a bright future to society. It seems my words have been misunderstood," he said in a later speech in Sendai.
But Aso's foes, waiting for any slip-up by him ahead of the August 30 Lower House poll, were quick to pounce.
Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii called the remark an "insult" to seniors.
"The elderly live with wishes and hopes for a meaningful life in their senior years," he said.
The JCP chief further slammed Aso, touching on past incidents where he drew flak from various corners.
"He can't correctly pronounce kanji and is too insensitive to the pains of the people," Shii said. "The public already gave up on him." [rc]
(C) The Japan Times
July 26, 2009
JAPAN: Prime Minster Aso draws flak for saying working is seniors' only talent
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TOKYO, Japan / The Japan Times / Kyodo News / July 26, 2009
Prime Minister Taro Aso drew quick fire Saturday after he told a Yokohama gathering of young people the "elderly have no talents other than working."
Speaking at a meeting of the Junior Chamber International Japan, Aso pointed out the differences between youths and seniors, saying, "It would be too late if you (meeting participants) learned to play after the age of 80."
Later in the day, the gaffe-prone prime minister said his remark was in the context of encouraging elderly people to continue to work.
"I told (the Yokohama meeting) that providing job opportunities to elderly people in good health will open a bright future to society. It seems my words have been misunderstood," he said in a later speech in Sendai.
But Aso's foes, waiting for any slip-up by him ahead of the August 30 Lower House poll, were quick to pounce.
Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii called the remark an "insult" to seniors.
"The elderly live with wishes and hopes for a meaningful life in their senior years," he said.
The JCP chief further slammed Aso, touching on past incidents where he drew flak from various corners.
"He can't correctly pronounce kanji and is too insensitive to the pains of the people," Shii said. "The public already gave up on him." [rc]
(C) The Japan Times
Prime Minister Taro Aso drew quick fire Saturday after he told a Yokohama gathering of young people the "elderly have no talents other than working."
Speaking at a meeting of the Junior Chamber International Japan, Aso pointed out the differences between youths and seniors, saying, "It would be too late if you (meeting participants) learned to play after the age of 80."
Later in the day, the gaffe-prone prime minister said his remark was in the context of encouraging elderly people to continue to work.
"I told (the Yokohama meeting) that providing job opportunities to elderly people in good health will open a bright future to society. It seems my words have been misunderstood," he said in a later speech in Sendai.
But Aso's foes, waiting for any slip-up by him ahead of the August 30 Lower House poll, were quick to pounce.
Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii called the remark an "insult" to seniors.
"The elderly live with wishes and hopes for a meaningful life in their senior years," he said.
The JCP chief further slammed Aso, touching on past incidents where he drew flak from various corners.
"He can't correctly pronounce kanji and is too insensitive to the pains of the people," Shii said. "The public already gave up on him." [rc]
(C) The Japan Times
