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2008/11/28
After Party Leader Debate, Ozawa Calls PM's Replies Illogical
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On the afternoon of November 28, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa held a press conference and answered reporters' questions after a Question Time (QT) with Prime Minister.
He expressed his opinion with regards to the Prime Minister's replies during the debate, saying they were "completely illogical" and that they "don't make any sense." This is not only for the prime minister's poor word choice. He said that Mr. Aso's attitude and words were inconsistent regarding two trillion yen in fixed payments, the giving of one trillion yen to local authorities through the generalization of specified funding for roads and highways, the sale of Post Office shares, etc. Ozawa also stated, "[Mr. Aso] is not upholding his political responsibility to the people as the Prime Minister of the entire country," having flip-flopped on economic stimulus measures by saying that the first supplementary budget is sufficient.
In answer to a question on the future of the current administration's rule, Ozawa said, "I'm not a fortune teller, so I don't know about that. That depends on how the people and you ladies and gentlemen in the media who leads the people will decide." He gave his impression that "I don't think the people can excuse nonchalant or irresponsible and careless politics forever." Making reference to the possibility that-with business bankruptcies rising to high levels and personnel cuts coming one after another-the country will fall into a deeply grave situation by the end of the year, he asserted that the people cannot accept a government seeing that the first supplementary budget would suffice through the end of the year.
Asked if he was sticking to his position that a general election would be held around the New Year, Ozawa answered, "My judgment is unchanged... This kind of government that makes fools of the people and ignores them cannot last."
Regarding the QT, Ozawa said, "It's not just a show. It's not done for fun. It has to be a place for debating ideas and policies." He asked the Prime Minister to "hold a proper, rational debate that is a little easier for the people to understand." Having said that the people have the final decision on whether the Prime Minister has the appropriate skills and qualifications, Ozawa noted, "much of his speech and conduct is a bit unsuitable for a Prime Minister."
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