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On January 16, the DPJ held its annual party convention for 2010, the first to be held since the party took power, at a Tokyo venue. Approximately 2000 people, including Prime Minister and party President Yukio Hatoyama and other senior leaders, took part, and approved a plan to “Create a stable environment in order to realise politics for “Putting People’s Lives First”, which will protect jobs, livelihoods and the regions.”
Social Democratic Party of Japan Leader Mizuho Fukushima, People’s New Party Leader Shizuka Kamei, New Party Nippon Captain Yasuo Tanaka, New Party Daichi Leader Muneo Suzuki, Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Nobuaki Koga and Shiseido Co., Ltd Advisor Morio Ikeda gave guest speeches at the convention. They each expressed their best wishes for the further success of the Hatoyama Cabinet, and the realization of a mode of government that would respond to the expectations of the Japanese public.
At the start of his speech, Prime Minister Hatoyama expressed his regrets regarding the fundraising violations scandal that has affected the party. He went on to say: “The entire party must join together, fully acknowledge the weight of the four year mandate which has been given to us by the people, and overcome these difficulties. I repeat my vow to respond to the expectations of the people.” He added that the mission of the administration is to “give dreams and hope and security to the lives of each and every one of the people,” and called on the party to unite with a view to gaining victory in the House of Councillors election and achieving an outright majority in the Upper House.
Following this, Acting Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi presented a report on the party activities for the previous year, and motions which included an action plan for 2010 and proposals for the application of party regulations, and this, including items relating to accounting and budget, was approved unanimously by the convention. In his speech, Koshiishi emphasised that following the landmark change of government last year, the goal for this year was to expand the party’s organizational base in the regions, and establish a presence appropriate for a ruling party. Furthermore, with regard to party regulations, it was decided to establish a “Party Regulation Revision Committee” to revise party regulations through official party channels, while applying the current regulations in an appropriate and flexible manner in the meantime.
Furthermore, the DPJ Prefectural Headquarters in Iwate, Fukushima, Niigata, Nagano, Aichi, Shiga, and Nagasaki were presented with Outstanding Achievement Awards, and Hatoyama presented representatives of each Prefectural Headquarters with a monetary prize.
Finally, Koshiishi called on the party “To overcome this crisis and aim for a summer of stable government,” leading the convention in a rousing chorus of cheers, and a convention full of the party’s determination to win the House of Councillors election and aim to establish stable government in the summer came to a close.
DPJ Administration Committee Chair Tenzo Okumura served as Chair of the Convention Organizing Committee, and member of the House of Representatives Shinji Tarutoko and member of the House of Councillors Tomiko Okazaki acted as Chairs for the Convention.
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