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In the afternoon of May 16, a General Meeting of DPJ Diet members took place at a Tokyo hotel, and an election to select a new party leader following the resignation of Ichiro Ozawa was held. As a result of the ballot, member of the House of Representatives Yukio Hatoyama was elected as President.
Prior to the vote, members of the House of Representatives Katsuya Okada and Yukio Hatoyama declared their candidacies, presenting their respective platforms and lists of endorsers to the election committee. The election took place following speeches by two Diet members endorsing each of the candidates, speeches by each candidate explaining their platform, and a debate between the candidates.
As a result of the voting Hatoyama polled 124 votes, and Okada 95, with one invalid vote cast.
The Chair of the General Meeting of DPJ Diet Members Issei Koga gave an opening address at the start of the meeting, stating, “We will elect the party president based on Article 11 of the party regulations.” Chair of the Central Presidential Election Committee Motohisa Furukawa then announced the election and explained how voting and other procedures would be carried out. He emphasised the significance of the election, saying, “This presidential election is an election to select a potential next Prime Minister.”
Following his election, Hatoyama said, “I would like to express my appreciation to my fellow candidate Okada for putting up a good fight.” He went on to make a forceful speech emphasising his determination to win the general election and bring about a change of government, saying, “During this contest we did not compete as enemies. It was a contest fought in the desire to improve our nation. Once the contest has ended there will be no sides. Let’s join together to play ball with a united team spirit, using the abilities that everyone possesses to the full, and sweep Japan clean. I vow that I will take the lead in showing that the DPJ has made a fresh start, destroying the bureaucrat-led system and creating politics that work for the citizens of our nation, in order that we can see a new dawn in Japan.” Hatoyama shook hands firmly with Okada, and the two raised their hands high in the air, vowing to work together to bring about a change of government.
Okada, after expressing his appreciation, also addressed the meeting, saying, “Let’s work hard together as a new DPJ to bring about a change of government and return politics to the hands of the people.”
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