ニュース 2009/02/25 DPJ President Ozawa: "a PM Who has Domestically Lost 70% or 80% of the People's Trust Cannot Implement Effective Diplomacy" On the morning of February 25, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa responded to questions from the press in Osaka City. When asked how the party expected to fare in Osaka when election day comes, Ozawa responded, "The situation is very difficult, but we are gradually expanding our support base. The way things are going, if we continue to push hard with our daily canvassing activities, we will be able to put up a good fight." When asked about the Japan-US leaders' summit that took place before dawn (Japan time) on the same day, Ozawa said, "A prime minister who has lost 70% to 80% of the people's trust domestically cannot implement effective diplomacy. I don't think the US are putting too much weight on the discussions with Prime Minister Aso". After noting that he didn't know the precise details of what was discussed, Ozawa said that he didn't think anything substantial was raised and that the summit only came about because the new US administration is looking towards Japan and Asia, and Prime Minister Aso asked for a meeting. Ozawa was then asked whether his February 24 comments on the realignment of the US military in Japan were a statement of intent to reduce the number of US military bases in Japan. In response, he answered once again, "Japan must discuss global strategies with America, divide responsibilities and take even greater responsibility than we have done in the past". He went on to say that as Japan takes responsibility for national security issues that relate directly to Japan, there will be a smaller role for the US military and that therefore the US will no longer need to station operational units in Japan. He clarified, "As there is a large element of instability in Southeast Asia, a US presence is required, but generally speaking, I think the 7th Fleet is sufficient. As the scale of the US military presence in Japan decreases, Japan can simply take on responsibility for national security and defense issues that affect us."