ニュース 2009/03/04 Hatoyama issues party statement following Ozawa press conference regarding secretary's arrest On March 4, DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama issued the following statement. President Ichiro Ozawa held a press conference today regarding the arrest of one of his publicly-funded secretaries, completely fulfilling his accountability obligations to the Japanese people, and making clear in his explanation that there were absolutely no illegalities involved. The Democratic Party of Japan has continued to call for strengthening of the regulations regarding political donations, and for increased transparency of accounts, and this policy remains unchanged. Therefore, we must say that we find the actions of the Public Prosecutors Office in this case to be regrettable. The actions of the Public Prosecutors Office are extremely peculiar. Political parties are allowed to accept donations from corporations and other organisations, and therefore it is unthinkable that a political [fundraising] organisation should go to the trouble of accepting a [corporate] donation knowing that it is illegal. Considering that the current investigations by the public prosecutors are taking place at this time, when we are in the run-up to a general election, as well as past examples, and the time needed to prove one’s innocence in such a case, it is natural to suspect that the public prosecutors have a political motive. If they wish to free themselves from such suspicions, the public prosecutors have accountability obligations to demonstrate to the public clear reasons and proof regarding the abnormal arrest of the secretary and forcible search. President Ozawa has long kept extremely detailed records of political donations, and has faithfully and accurately fulfilled his accountability obligations. In this case also, everything was reported according to the law, and moreover President Ozawa’s explanation is clear, and we are convinced that there is not a shadow of a doubt. We will continue to severely investigate the irregularities of the public prosecutors, as well as responding, under the leadership of President Ozawa, to the expectations of the people and the responsibility invested in us, voicing our policies without swerving, and proceeding toward a change of government with an unshakeable resolve.