日本新任首相奢華夜生活遭質疑

While much of Japan is grappling with deepening economic turmoil, the country's newprime minister has come under fire for enjoying a lavish nightlife.

Since taking the helm a month ago, Taro Aso has spent all but four nights out on the town at posh bars and eateries, according to leading local newspapers.

Aso's haunts include an upscale hotel bar where coffee is poured out at $15 a cup, and a ritzy restaurant where the grilled eel starts at $175 a serving.

The opposition has seized on Aso's nights on the town, claiming the 68-year-old political blueblood and scion of a wealthy family is out of touch with the people.

"He won't understand the real concerns of people by going to such places," said Susumu Yanase, a lawmaker from Japan's largest opposition Party, the Democratic Party of Japan.

Aso, who is well-known for favoring cigars and meticulously tailored suits, has defended his nocturnal habits, saying visits to less exclusive places would be a security headache for others.

Besides, he said, he's not charging the government for his fun.

"Don't you know bars at hotels are not so expensive?" Aso said when challenged over his spree.

"Fortunately, I've got money, so I'm paying the bills myself."

The PM is now making efforts to develop a common touch. He visited a supermarket in downtown Tokyolast week to see how shoppers were being affected by price increases.

Since taking office on Sept 24, Aso has been under pressure to boost the popularity of the ailing ruling party before he calls snap parliamentary elections.

正當日本民衆飽受經濟衰退之苦時，新任首相（ 麻生太郎）則因奢華的夜生活遭到炮轟。

據日本幾家主流報紙報道，麻生太郎接任首相一個月來，幾乎每晚光顧高級酒吧或高檔餐廳，只有四天晚上沒出去。

他常“出沒”的地方包括一家高檔酒店的酒吧，這裏的咖啡15美元一杯，還有一家高檔餐廳，這裏的一份烤鰻魚最低要175美元。

麻生奢華的夜生活讓日本國內的反對黨抓住了把柄，他們譴責麻生的行爲“脫離了民衆”。今年68歲的麻生出身於一個富裕的政治家庭。

日本最大的反對黨民主黨的立法委員柳瀨進說：“他總去這些地方，怎麼能瞭解人民的疾苦。”

而這位以愛抽雪茄和愛穿高級剪裁西裝而著稱的首相先生則反駁說，如果去便宜的地方，會給安保帶來不少麻煩。

他還說，自己並沒有用公款娛樂。

在受到質疑時，麻生辯解說：“難道你們不知道酒店裏的酒吧其實沒那麼貴嗎？”

“幸好我有錢，能自己買單。”

爲加強與民衆的溝通、實際瞭解民情，麻生於上週走訪了東京市區的一家超市，瞭解物價上漲對民衆生活的影響。

自9月24日接任首相以來，爲了在衆議院臨時選舉前重振聲望不斷下降的執政黨，麻生一直處於壓力之下。

Vocabulary:

seize on:抓住；利用

snap election: A snap election is an election called earlier than scheduled. Generally it refers to an election called when no one expects it, usually to capitalize on a unique electoral opportunity or to decide a pressing issue.（臨時選舉；提前選舉）