Ozawa has political responsibility for funds scandal: Hatoyama

Monday 08th February, 03:43 PM JST

TOKYO —

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama acknowledged Monday that Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa has political responsibility for a funds scandal that has led to the indictment of his three former and current aides. ‘‘I think that he certainly has responsibility,’’ Hatoyama said during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session.

Public polls over the weekend showed that many voters think the 67-year-old Ozawa, who has played a pivotal role in Japanese politics, should leave the ruling party’s No. 2 post despite prosecutors’ decision Thursday not to indict him over the scandal.

Opposition lawmakers have also been calling for him to take responsibility for the indictments of the three aides, while those in the DPJ-led coalition began voicing concerns over the repercussions of the scandal on the government’s support ratings.

Kozo Watanabe, a DPJ heavyweight and former vice speaker of the lower chamber, told reporters, ‘‘I believe he will take public opinion humbly and make a historic decision that would win public acclaim (and make the public think) ‘that’s our Mr Ozawa’,’’ implicitly urging him to stand down.

Ozawa has said that he will stick to the post of secretary general and continue to lead the campaigning toward the House of Councillors election this summer.

Hatoyama, president of the DPJ, held a meeting with Ozawa at his office Monday afternoon.

Following the talks, Ozawa refused to answer questions by reporters on their discussions, while Hatoyama also declined comment during the Diet session, saying, ‘‘I don’t think I need to comment on talks between the president and secretary general of one specific party.’‘

Since Hatoyama said last week that he wants Ozawa to stay on, it is likely that the two met to confirm that Ozawa should keep his job.

Earlier in the day, Hatoyama also told reporters that the DPJ will continue its efforts to get people to understand that the prosecutors’ decision resulted from a fair investigation, while saying there is a need for Ozawa to explain the case at a press conference if necessary.

The 62-year-old premier, who took office last September, also vowed afresh to create a political climate for the benefit of the people, saying that voters chose his DPJ over the Liberal Democratic Party in the lower house election last August in the hope that the DPJ could change a political environment often mired in corruption scandals.

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11 Comments

Gaijinocchio at 04:18 PM JST - 8th February

Hatoyama also declined comment during the Diet session, saying, ‘‘I don’t think I need to comment on talks between the president and secretary general of one specific party.’‘

Ugh, the nerve. Whatever happened to transparency we were promised?

It's going to be bumpy road for the DPJ this year, to say the least.
some14some at 05:19 PM JST - 8th February

"Political responsibility" anybody familiar with this strange word in Japan? Perhaps No, so no need for Ozawa to adapt to such new words. Let him continue to serve the nation.
cactusJack at 05:45 PM JST - 8th February

"political responsibility" does not have an entry in Wikipedia...therefore, it must not exist.
smithinjapan at 06:31 PM JST - 8th February

Just yesterday he sticks up behind the guy saying he's explained enough, done enough, and that he believes Ozawa was not involved in any scandal. Now, conveniently after a poll, he suggests Ozawa bears some responsibility.
my2sense at 06:43 PM JST - 8th February

I go out drinking with him Thursday.... see what I can find out.

DPJ heavyweight and former vice speaker of the lower chamber
my2sense at 06:44 PM JST - 8th February

........urp. Excuse me.
apecNetworks at 07:12 PM JST - 8th February

This is sooooooooo much like a movie. Who will survive past Futenma and the Upper House elections, and who will be blasted out of position. Japanese politics is interesting.
Laguna at 07:22 PM JST - 8th February

It's a tricky thing throwing someone under the bus who is big enough to drag you along with them.
BurakuminDes at 12:41 AM JST - 9th February

Let's all hope this Ozawa zero resigns ASAP and puts the poor Japanese punters out of their misery, he contributes the grand sum of nought to the political life of Japan...the guy is a slimy grub.
bdiego at 04:24 AM JST - 9th February

I like how the aides pinned this on Ozawa, and yet he's prancing around freely because the cops won't give him a real interrogation over it. The public would like a confession, but the police don't seem interested here.
Beto1972 at 06:52 AM JST - 9th February

Ozawa was not arrested due to political arrangements and other connections with key people. Where in the world you can see assistants, secretary or whoever go on prison as they increased the money for whatever asset purchase? It works on the other way around where funds are missing ... Come on! Will you arrest your secretary for increasing your savings and your boss says I do not know anything ... Money laundry investigation is light year away in Japan