ニュース 2014/09/16 DPJ launches new leadership: Members of DPJ Standing Officers Council approved at General Meeting of DPJ Diet Members Yukio EDANO, Secretary General (left) On September 16, the DPJ held a General Meeting of DPJ Diet Members ahead of the study session of DPJ Diet members in Iwate Prefecture. During the meeting, the party unanimously approved the appointments of senior members of the DPJ Standing Officers Council and launched a new party leadership. The appointments approved were as follows: Acting President: Yoshiaki TAKAKI, House of Representatives Acting President (national elections): Katsuya OKADA, House of Representatives Secretary General: Yukio EDANO, House of Representatives Chair, Policy Research Committee: Tetsuro FUKUYAMA, House of Councillors Chair, Diet Affairs Committee: Tatsuo KAWABATA, House of Representatives Chair, Standing Officers Council: Akihiro OHATA, House of Representatives Chair, General Meeting of DPJ Diet Members: Masayuki NAOSHIMA, House of Councillors The appointments of other members of the Standing Officers Council will be left up to DPJ President Banri Kaieda and will be considered for approval by the General Meeting of DPJ Diet Members at its next gathering. Edano, the new Secretary General, delivered an address on behalf of the new Council members. He stated, “Today, democracy in Japan is in a dire state. There is a movement sweeping across the nation, in which people are being pressured into disavowing any theories that contradict those of a single party, and the entire country is being forced to adopt a homogenous view. We need to continue to protect the diverse Japanese society. As for the economy, we have to fully protect the large number of people in the middle class. There was a time when we believed that all Japanese were part of the middle class. We have a responsibility to once again show the Japanese people politics founded on such concepts, and to show the people an alternative to current politics.” Edano expressed that the new Council members have a role and responsibility to quickly realize the visions for the DPJ, focusing on the vision presented by the DPJ Revitalization Panel. Kaieda appealed to party members, saying, “We all need to work together to solidify our base and squarely face the politics of the Liberal Democratic Party. Let’s join hands and unite to bring about the rebirth of the DPJ. I pledge once again to spearhead this effort.” The General Meeting of DPJ Diet Members unanimously approved the draft revisions of the DPJ presidential　election regulations. The revisions will enable DPJ members, supporters, and local assembly members to take part in DPJ presidential elections that are held when the presidency is vacated prior to the expiration of the president’s term of office.