ニュース 2009/06/26 Okada calls for House of Representatives to debate legislation to restore additional assistance for single mothers On June 26, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada held his regular press conference at party headquarters. He referred to the opposition parties’ proposal for a partial amendment of the Public Assistance Law in order to restore additional allowances for single mothers, which had been approved the same day in the House of Councillors, warning against the ruling parties’ tendency to deal with such legislation without debating it by saying, “The House of Representatives should carry out thorough debate in the relevant committees.” Furthermore, in response to a reporters question regarding the various movements within the government and ruling parties regarding the date for dissolution and changes in the party leadership, Okada said, “I have the impression that things are confused. It is unfortunately for the people that there are many opinions on [how the government should act] and that the government is unable to make decisions. Prime Minister Aso should dissolve the Diet soon if he is going to do so, and he is also free to resign.” Regarding the allegations of indirect political donations made to Minister of Finance Kaoru Yosano, Okada pointed out, “The debate in the House of Councillors will clarify matters. This is not just limited to Minister Yosano, but with this kind of issue, the Diet member involved should himself explain matters.” Furthermore, with regard to a question regarding the timing for producing the DPJ Manifesto, and on the sources of funding for the proposed policies, Okada said, “It is a fact that not only I myself but others feel that we would like to explain about sources of funding in an easy to understand way. The timing of producing the Manifesto depends on the timing of the dissolution and so I can’t say when it will be.”