LDP figure hits Hibiya jobless as slackers, retracts gaffe

Parliamentary Secretary for Internal Affairs and Communications Tetsushi Sakamoto on Tuesday retracted controversial remarks in which he questioned the willingness of unemployed people to find work.

Tetsushi Sakamoto

Referring to the hundreds of laid-off temp workers and others who sought shelter over the weekend at a tent village in Tokyo, the Liberal Democratic Party member said at a New Year's address Monday, "I wonder if people who are really serious about working gathered there."

After opposition lawmakers and others objected to his remarks, Sakamoto apologized at a news conference.

"I have caused trouble to concerned parties," he said.

His initial remarks, made at the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, immediately stirred up the opposition camp, with the Democratic Party of Japan and Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party) addressing them during meetings.

"His remarks sounded inappropriate in view of the fact that there are people who are truly hard-pressed," Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said. "As the government, we need to keep tabs on the (employment) situation, which has grown serious."

Kawamura rejected calls to remove Sakamoto from his post.

Around 500 people gathered at the tent village in Hibiya Park.

The facility was closed Monday morning after placing 286 of the 500 people in shelters provided by the government.