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158662
Tue, 02/01/2011 - 15:32
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https://www.oananews.org//node/158662
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DPJ leadership to ask Ozawa about intentions before discussing action
TOKYO, Feb. 1 Kyodo - The leaders of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan plan to ask embattled former party leader Ichiro Ozawa about his intentions before deciding on what action to take against him in light of his indictment over a political fund scandal, party sources said Tuesday.
But it remains unclear whether the veteran politician will agree to respond given that he has told reporters he will neither leave the party nor resign as a House of Representatives member.
The leadership is expected to begin consultations about the party's handling of the case at a meeting of DPJ executives by the end of this week, while already arranging for a meeting of the party ethics committee to discuss what course of action to take.
The inflexible stance of DPJ members in the pro-Ozawa camp against the party leadership has raised the possibility that the matter may remain unresolved for a long time.
The party executives' meeting may be held as early as Thursday, according to the sources.
Ozawa, a political bigwig who is credited with helping the DPJ win power in 2009, was indicted by a group of court-appointed lawyers on Monday over accounting irregularities involving his political funds body.
DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada explained the indictment to members of the party's Standing Officers Council on Tuesday, confirming with them that the matter would be raised at the decision-making panel if the party leadership decided to recommend that Ozawa leave the party or to suspend his party affiliation.
DPJ Diet affairs chief Jun Azumi indicated Tuesday that the DPJ has no choice but to consider taking action against Ozawa, telling a news conference after the council meeting, ''Mr. Ozawa did not respond to repeated requests by Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Mr. Okada that he attend the lower house Deliberative Council on Political Ethics.''
Azumi added, ''Discussing the matter at a meeting of party executives is a natural course of events.''
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, who is often critical of Ozawa, called on the former DPJ leader to accept whatever decision the party leaders may make over his indictment, telling a news conference that he expects Ozawa to explain himself in parliament.
At a meeting of party executives in the upper house on Tuesday, DPJ House of Councillors members who are close to Ozawa expressed reservations about punishing the former party leader.
''The party should not fall into confusion because of this matter,'' said Azuma Koshiishi, head of the party's caucus in the chamber, at the meeting.
Ozawa's indictment had been anticipated since an independent judicial panel of citizens determined last October that he should face charges despite prosecutors' earlier decision not to do so due to a lack of incriminating evidence.
Ozawa, who will stand trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Control Law, has denied any wrongdoing and said his innocence will be proven in court.
But it remains unclear whether the veteran politician will agree to respond given that he has told reporters he will neither leave the party nor resign as a House of Representatives member.
The leadership is expected to begin consultations about the party's handling of the case at a meeting of DPJ executives by the end of this week, while already arranging for a meeting of the party ethics committee to discuss what course of action to take.
The inflexible stance of DPJ members in the pro-Ozawa camp against the party leadership has raised the possibility that the matter may remain unresolved for a long time.
The party executives' meeting may be held as early as Thursday, according to the sources.
Ozawa, a political bigwig who is credited with helping the DPJ win power in 2009, was indicted by a group of court-appointed lawyers on Monday over accounting irregularities involving his political funds body.
DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada explained the indictment to members of the party's Standing Officers Council on Tuesday, confirming with them that the matter would be raised at the decision-making panel if the party leadership decided to recommend that Ozawa leave the party or to suspend his party affiliation.
DPJ Diet affairs chief Jun Azumi indicated Tuesday that the DPJ has no choice but to consider taking action against Ozawa, telling a news conference after the council meeting, ''Mr. Ozawa did not respond to repeated requests by Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Mr. Okada that he attend the lower house Deliberative Council on Political Ethics.''
Azumi added, ''Discussing the matter at a meeting of party executives is a natural course of events.''
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, who is often critical of Ozawa, called on the former DPJ leader to accept whatever decision the party leaders may make over his indictment, telling a news conference that he expects Ozawa to explain himself in parliament.
At a meeting of party executives in the upper house on Tuesday, DPJ House of Councillors members who are close to Ozawa expressed reservations about punishing the former party leader.
''The party should not fall into confusion because of this matter,'' said Azuma Koshiishi, head of the party's caucus in the chamber, at the meeting.
Ozawa's indictment had been anticipated since an independent judicial panel of citizens determined last October that he should face charges despite prosecutors' earlier decision not to do so due to a lack of incriminating evidence.
Ozawa, who will stand trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Control Law, has denied any wrongdoing and said his innocence will be proven in court.
