2007年VOA标准英语-Former Japanese Prime Minister Apologizes to Pe

By Heda Bayron
Hong Kong
24 September 2007

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has apologized to the Japanese public for his abrupt¹ resignation earlier this month. As VOA's Heda Bayron reports from our Asia News Center in Hong Kong, the Liberal Democratic Party's new leader, Yasuo Fukuda, prepares to fill the power vacuum left by Mr. Abe.

Shinzo Abe made his first public appearance since he checked into a hospital a day after announcing his resignation on September 12.

Mr. Abe apologized to the Japanese nation for the bad timing² of his resignation, which left a power vacuum.

Mr. Abe, who appeared with two doctors beside him, said his health had deteriorated³ during the past month. He has been suffering from gastro-intestinal problems and Mr. Abe said he had reached a physical limit that made him unable to continue as prime minister.

He resigned less than two months after his Liberal Democratic Party suffered a massive election defeat in July. The opposition⁴ seized control of the upper house of Parliament.

Mr. Abe and his cabinet were criticized for their lack of experience, and a series of financial scandals involving cabinet ministers hurt his popularity ratings.

New LDP leader Yasuo Fukuda appointed allies to key party posts before his official appointment as prime minister on Tuesday.

The 71-year-old Fukuda is the son of a former prime minister. He served as chief cabinet secretary for Mr. Abe's predecessor⁵, Junichiro Koizumi.

After his selection on Sunday, Fukuda acknowledged that the party is facing major difficulties and promised to bring back the people's trust in the long dominant⁶ LDP.

He also pledged to improve ties with Asia and to extend a Japanese naval⁷ mission in support of forces in Afghanistan.

1 abrupt   

adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的

参考例句：

• The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。
• His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。

2 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

3 deteriorated   

恶化，变坏( deteriorate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Her health deteriorated rapidly, and she died shortly afterwards. 她的健康状况急剧恶化，不久便去世了。
• His condition steadily deteriorated. 他的病情恶化，日甚一日。

4 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

5 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

6 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

7 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。