New Japanese PM makes privatisation vow

The new Japanese prime minister has backed the government’s plan to scale-back privatisation of the country’s postal service. Naoto Kan said he will “do everything” he can to push through the reform bill before the currently parliamentary session concludes for the summer.

The parliament’s lower house passed a key government bill last week as it seeks to scale back on the proposals which initially came about after the 2005 election.

It was carried after receiving support from the ruling coalition, and now the government intends to enact it through the House of Councillors by 16 June, end of the current Diet session.