ニュース 2010/11/15 Okada stresses determination to pass supplementary budget On November 15, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada held his regular press conference at party headquarters. He explained that he was currently making a last push toward the goal of having the plenary session of the Diet vote to pass the supplementary budget. He commented, “The opposition parties have a variety of opinions on this matter, but from the point of view of fully supporting people’s livelihoods, I would like to aim to vote to pass the supplementary budget as soon as possible.” Okada also reported that a proposal to convene training sessions for freshman lawmakers belonging to both Houses of the Diet had been brought before a meeting of the party executive that had taken place the same day. He said, “We will carry out training sessions for all first-term Diet members from both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.” Okada went on to explain that the party planned to hold two training sessions before the end of the year, and that these would focus on compliance. He added that sessions would then be conducted on a regular basis during the ordinary Diet session next year, focusing on such topics as the appropriate way to conduct constituency activities, and campaigning knowhow. Furthermore, Okada commented on the Northern Territories issue, commenting: “The current situation is certainly difficult.” He went on to say, “I also conducted negotiations when I was Minister of Foreign Affairs, and had some quite heated exchanges with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. [His position was] that matters had been decided by the outcome of World War II, and he would not give way at all, so we ended up having an extremely intense discussion.” Okada continued, “I understand that we are facing this kind of difficult situation, but still I believe that the basic stance of the Japanese government is to aim for a breakthrough by linking [territorial issues] with economic issues.” Okada also commented on the efforts toward improving Japan-China relations. He pointed out, “The relationship between Japan and China is an extremely important bilateral relationship for both countries, and we have engaged in it as a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.” Okada went on to say, “We cannot compromise on rules and principles, and so it is true that there have been some clashes in this regard. We will not give way on the territorial issue, but I believe that it is important for us to cooperate fully in other areas. I hope that the leadership summit [that took place between Prime Minister Kan and President Hu Jintao] will provide one opportunity for a deepening of the bilateral relationship.”