Japan PM vows to shed light on "shadows" of reform

TOKYO, Sep 10 (Reuters) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed today to help out those suffering from painful reforms at the start of a crucial session of parliament, in a bid to win back support of voters who gave him an election drubbing in July.

In a policy speech at the start of a two-month session of Japan's parliament, where the opposition has gained control of the upper house, Abe said he and his cabinet members would travel throughout the country to listen to people's views.

Voters stripped the ruling bloc of its upper house majority in the July poll, outraged at a series of gaffes and scandals by cabinet ministers. They also saw Abe as out of touch with bread-and-butter issues such as pensions and health care.

''I am fully aware of calls for me to step down given such harsh public opinion,'' Abe said of the election, adding that he would respond to such criticism by pressing ahead with reforms.

''From now on, while pursuing with reform, I would put all my efforts into shedding the light on the shadows of reform, implementing policy that are accompanied by kindness and warmth.'' He promised to share the ''fruits of reform'' with the countryside and to support small-size businesses and farmers, who have long backed Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Many of those traditional supporters turned their backs on the LDP, casting their votes for the main opposition Democratic Party, which pledged support for farmers and whose leader Ichiro Ozawa toured rural Japan throughout the campaign.

REUTERS JT KP1130