ニュース 2009/10/20 Four Shinryokufukai Diet members apply to join DPJ On October 20, the four independent Diet members belonging to the Shinryokufukai group in the House of Councillors, Yoetsu Suzuki, Toshiro Tomochika, Itsugi Toyama and Hajime Hirota, visited DPJ party headquarters and submitted an application to join the party to Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa. On behalf of the four, Suzuki said, “Thank you very much. We have worked to come to a joint conclusion and have decided to join the DPJ.” In response, Ozawa welcomed this decision and expressed his intention of carrying out the membership procedures as speedily as possible, saying, “Thank you…I would like to complete the [membership] procedures by the end of this week.” Following the meeting, the participants answered reporters’ questions. Ozawa said, “I asked [the Shinryokufukai members] to take the opportunity presented by a change of government to join forces with us by joining the party and becoming DPJ Diet members. Today I have received a joint application from the four of them to join the party. This is an extremely welcome development. I would like them to pool their strength and do their best.” Suzuki expressed his resolve, saying, “On October 7th, we received a request from the Secretary General to join the DPJ. Today, we have submitted a joint application to join the party. We would like to work toward establishing a stable administration.” Toyama explained the motivation behind his decision to join the DPJ, commenting, “We have been elected from the regions. I would like to communicate the voice of the regions [to the administration].” Hirota added, “There are voices expressing concern in the regions. I would like to convey these opinions to the administration. I want to work toward the creation of a new nation.” Tomochika said, “Due to reasons relating to my region, I was elected as an independent. The fact that the administration is a coalition one is also a factor, and I would also like to liaise with the Social Democratic Party and the People’s New Party.” On October 22, the four Diet members’ application to join the DPJ was accepted.