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Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso speaks in a street in Tokyo's Akihabara district, Japan, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008.
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While much of Japan is grappling with deepening economic turmoil, the country's new prime 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 Tokyo last 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.
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(Agencies)
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正當日本民眾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，這里的咖啡15美元一杯，還有一家高檔餐廳，這里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，他們譴責麻生的行為“脫離了民眾”。今年68歲的麻生出身于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，怎么能了解人民的疾苦?！?/font>
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，自己并沒有用公款娛樂。
在受到質疑時，麻生辯解說：“難道你們不知道酒店里的酒吧其實沒那么貴嗎？”
“幸好我有錢，能自己買單?！?/font>
為加強與民眾的溝通、實際了解民情，麻生于上周走訪了東京市區的一家超市，了解物價上漲對民眾生活的影響。
自9月24日接任首相以來，為了在眾議院臨時選舉前重振聲望不斷下降的執政黨，麻生一直處于壓力之下。
（實習生瞿漫 英語點津姍姍編輯）
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