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2008/11/19
DPJ President Ozawa: Tetsundo Iwakuni to Stand in Kanagawa No.1 and Katsuhito Yokokume to Stand in Kanagawa No.11
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On the afternoon of November 19, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa held a press conference in Yokohama and announced that the DPJ has officially endorsed Tetsundo Iwakuni and Katsuhito Yokokume as its respective candidates in the Kanagawa No.1 and Kanagawa No.11 constituencies.
Ozawa explained why Iwakuni was switching from constituency No. 8 to No.1 by saying, "at the next general election we are determined to create a government centered around the DPJ which will implement policies that benefit the people and therefore we need to make sure that opposition parties win as many seats as possible". He said that the party would dedicate itself to achieving victory in Kanagawa No.1, which the party has identified as one of the most important constituencies.
Ozawa also told that he had high hopes for Yokokume whose opponent in Kanagawa No.11 is expected to be the second son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He said that rather than someone who was simply trying to take on the support base [of his father], voters would recognize the worth of a candidate who had worked painstakingly for the local community and understood people's struggles. Ozawa noted, "When voters hear what Yokokume is saying in his campaign, they will certainly understand him."
Ozawa then called on the government to rapidly submit the second supplementary budget saying, "Prime Minister Taro Aso has made a pact with voters that he will put economic stimulus measures before calling a general election. Therefore, if he is a politician who can show judgment and common sense, we would not expect him to draw the irresponsible conclusion that the second supplementary budget should not be submitted to the current session of the Diet." He also made a point of noting the government and ruling coalition have a responsibility to clarify whether they will make good on a pledge to the public or whether they are just looking for excuses to postpone an election.
Ozawa also talked to the press on the two consecutive fatal attacks on the homes of former Vice-Ministers of Health, Labour and Welfare saying, "I was extremely surprised. Using violence to kill and injure is unacceptable whatever the reason". He added, "I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims of these attacks".
Finally, Ozawa stressed that "however much Prime Minister Aso tries to run and hide, there will be growing calls for him "to submit to the judgment of the people" and therefore we are convinced that the election will be held before too long", reiterating that the DPJ is determined to give everything to achieve a new government that practices politics based on our core policy of "Putting People's Lives First".
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