ニュース 2012/09/24 Noda appoints main party executives On September 24, Prime Minister and DPJ President Yoshihiko Noda discussed major party executive positions with Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi at DPJ Headquarters and made his appointments. Noda decided to name Finance Minister Jun Azumi as Acting Secretary General, Nuclear Minister Goshi Hosono as Policy Research Committee Chair, and Diet Affairs Committee Vice Chair Kazunori Yamanoi as Diet Affairs Committee Chair. New Acting Secretary General Azumi commented to reporters, “I understand the severe situation of the DPJ right now. The term of the House of Representatives will expire within a year and the House of Councillors election is scheduled to take place next year. I hope to work as a leader of this party to demonstrate that the expectations the people have of our party are not misplaced.” “As Acting Secretary General, I will not only support the Prime Minister and Secretary General, but also coordinate with members of the House of Representatives and work to lighten the burden of the Secretary General for matters such as Diet affairs and elections.” New Policy Research Committee Chair Hosono stated, “Yesterday, I said that I would like to focus on measures related to nuclear power station accidents and the challenges in Fukushima. The Prime Minister has asked me to give full support to Fukushima and power station related issues as DPJ Policy Research Committee Chair. Fukushima is the highest concern for me, and so it was extremely difficult to decide whether or not to take on this task. However, I realized that in this position, I could face this issue head on and lead the party as a whole to support Fukushima.” He continued, “The party has many challenges ahead of it, not only related to power stations, but also the creation of our manifesto and measures for the three-party agreement. Although it will be a difficult role, I will do everything I can.” New Diet Affairs Committee Chair Yamanoi said, “A censure motion has been submitted to the House of Councillors. It is not clear whether the opposition parties will accept the holding of the extraordinary Diet session. However, I believe that the people of Japan want a ‘Diet that can decide.’ The realization of this means the opening of the Diet and work by the Diet members to accomplish their duties. In order to hold the extraordinary Diet session, I would like to make efforts in areas such as the Bill on Special Provisions concerning Issuance of Government Bonds and the correction of the disparity in the value of one vote through consultations with opposition parties. If the bill does not pass, it will only harm local governments and the livelihoods of the people. The understanding of all parties on this is greatly appreciated.”