ID :
112614
Fri, 03/19/2010 - 21:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/112614
The shortlink copeid
Dissident DPJ exec calls again for Ozawa's resignation
+
TOKYO, March 19 Kyodo -
Democratic Party of Japan Vice Secretary General Yukio Ubukata on Friday called
again for Ichiro Ozawa, the party's scandal-tainted No. 2, to step down, a day
after the party decided to dismiss him from the post for criticizing Ozawa and
the leadership.
Secretary General Ozawa ''should explain (the funds scandal) to the public
again, and if the number of voters who think he should resign does not drop
even after that, he must step down,'' Ubukata told reporters in Tokyo.
''Otherwise, we cannot fight in the House of Councillors election (this
summer),'' he said.
In the meantime, the DPJ decided Friday to formally endorse the decision to
discharge Ubukata from the post at an executive board meeting Tuesday.
But Ubukata, a House of Representatives lawmaker, complained about the decision
and suggested that he may exercise his right to file an objection against the
party in accordance with its code of ethics.
''It is truly ridiculous,'' he said. ''If the party tries to handle such a
situation by sacking anyone who denounces the leadership, it does nothing to
help revamp the party,'' he said.
But Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who leads the DPJ, has apparently accepted
the party's decision, telling reporters Friday morning that if DPJ members
publicly criticize the party, ''we cannot maintain discipline in the party.''
On Thursday, Ubukata was urged by DPJ Senior Vice Secretary General Yoshimitsu
Takashima to tender a letter of resignation, as Takashima found it problematic
that Ubukata had repeatedly made critical remarks about the leadership to the
media at a time when the party struggles with flagging voter support.
In an attempt to brush aside the view that the DPJ is trying to rein in those
critical of Ozawa, Hatoyama said he welcomes any ''free and vigorous'' exchange
of opinions, but it must be done within the party.
''I believe it is a very democratic process to discuss things thoroughly within
the party and form an opinion,'' he said, adding that if anyone complains from
the outside and as a result affects the party's management, it would be ''not
necessarily desirable.''
Ubukata argued, however, that many DPJ members feel frustrated about not being
able to speak freely within the party.
''I wonder if the DPJ is doing OK under the leadership of Mr. Hatoyama, who
cannot say anything about Mr. Ozawa,'' when many voters are not satisfied with
Ozawa remaining in the post despite the funds scandal, Ubukata said.
The feud concerning the lawmaker has sparked controversy among DPJ members,
including key ministers of the Hatoyama Cabinet.
Yukio Edano, minister in charge of government revitalization and administrative
reforms, said, ''I am sure that this does not work in favor of the DPJ and the
administration'' ahead of the crucial upper house election.
Edano, a vocal critic of Ozawa, said he doubted whether Ubukata remarks
warranted his immediate discharge from the party.
''Speech must not be suppressed,'' Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Minister Seiji Maehara, another critic of Ozawa, said.
But Maehara, a former DPJ chief, also showed understanding for the party's
action. ''I understand there should be certain rules for people who belong to
an organization,'' he said.
Other ministers also backed the party's decision to sack Ubukata.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima said DPJ lawmakers
should be mindful that whatever they say could affect the public image of the
party, especially when people are turning a harsh eye toward the DPJ and the
Hatoyama government.
''A person in leadership should provide an opinion within it,'' Environment
Minister Sakihito Ozawa, who is close to Hatoyama, said separately.
The developments within the DPJ have also provided fresh ammunition for the
opposition camp to use against ruling party, which took power for the first
time last September through the previous month's general election.
Sadakazu Tanigaki, president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party,
said at a press conference Friday, ''I think the party's management is
high-handed and authoritarian, and (the dismissal of Ubukata) seems to back
this up.''
==Kyodo
2010-03-19 23:07:37
TOKYO, March 19 Kyodo -
Democratic Party of Japan Vice Secretary General Yukio Ubukata on Friday called
again for Ichiro Ozawa, the party's scandal-tainted No. 2, to step down, a day
after the party decided to dismiss him from the post for criticizing Ozawa and
the leadership.
Secretary General Ozawa ''should explain (the funds scandal) to the public
again, and if the number of voters who think he should resign does not drop
even after that, he must step down,'' Ubukata told reporters in Tokyo.
''Otherwise, we cannot fight in the House of Councillors election (this
summer),'' he said.
In the meantime, the DPJ decided Friday to formally endorse the decision to
discharge Ubukata from the post at an executive board meeting Tuesday.
But Ubukata, a House of Representatives lawmaker, complained about the decision
and suggested that he may exercise his right to file an objection against the
party in accordance with its code of ethics.
''It is truly ridiculous,'' he said. ''If the party tries to handle such a
situation by sacking anyone who denounces the leadership, it does nothing to
help revamp the party,'' he said.
But Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who leads the DPJ, has apparently accepted
the party's decision, telling reporters Friday morning that if DPJ members
publicly criticize the party, ''we cannot maintain discipline in the party.''
On Thursday, Ubukata was urged by DPJ Senior Vice Secretary General Yoshimitsu
Takashima to tender a letter of resignation, as Takashima found it problematic
that Ubukata had repeatedly made critical remarks about the leadership to the
media at a time when the party struggles with flagging voter support.
In an attempt to brush aside the view that the DPJ is trying to rein in those
critical of Ozawa, Hatoyama said he welcomes any ''free and vigorous'' exchange
of opinions, but it must be done within the party.
''I believe it is a very democratic process to discuss things thoroughly within
the party and form an opinion,'' he said, adding that if anyone complains from
the outside and as a result affects the party's management, it would be ''not
necessarily desirable.''
Ubukata argued, however, that many DPJ members feel frustrated about not being
able to speak freely within the party.
''I wonder if the DPJ is doing OK under the leadership of Mr. Hatoyama, who
cannot say anything about Mr. Ozawa,'' when many voters are not satisfied with
Ozawa remaining in the post despite the funds scandal, Ubukata said.
The feud concerning the lawmaker has sparked controversy among DPJ members,
including key ministers of the Hatoyama Cabinet.
Yukio Edano, minister in charge of government revitalization and administrative
reforms, said, ''I am sure that this does not work in favor of the DPJ and the
administration'' ahead of the crucial upper house election.
Edano, a vocal critic of Ozawa, said he doubted whether Ubukata remarks
warranted his immediate discharge from the party.
''Speech must not be suppressed,'' Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Minister Seiji Maehara, another critic of Ozawa, said.
But Maehara, a former DPJ chief, also showed understanding for the party's
action. ''I understand there should be certain rules for people who belong to
an organization,'' he said.
Other ministers also backed the party's decision to sack Ubukata.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima said DPJ lawmakers
should be mindful that whatever they say could affect the public image of the
party, especially when people are turning a harsh eye toward the DPJ and the
Hatoyama government.
''A person in leadership should provide an opinion within it,'' Environment
Minister Sakihito Ozawa, who is close to Hatoyama, said separately.
The developments within the DPJ have also provided fresh ammunition for the
opposition camp to use against ruling party, which took power for the first
time last September through the previous month's general election.
Sadakazu Tanigaki, president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party,
said at a press conference Friday, ''I think the party's management is
high-handed and authoritarian, and (the dismissal of Ubukata) seems to back
this up.''
==Kyodo
2010-03-19 23:07:37
