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On December 17, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada spoke to reporters at party headquarters after meeting with former party President Ichiro Ozawa. Okada reported he had received a written response from Ozawa regarding the question of whether he (Ozawa) would attend the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics, and that the two had then discussed the matter.
Okada stated that in the meeting he had communicated to Ozawa that the Deliberative Council on Political Ethics possessed technical authority. He had said that although the separation of the three branches of government remained the basic principle governing affairs, at the same time he thought that Ozawa had the responsibility to make an explanation to the public regarding those matters that related to his political rather than legal accountability. Okada revealed that in response, Ozawa had said that their opinions on this matter differed, and had stated that he would not appear before the Deliberative Council. Ozawa had added that he would fight the case, including the question of the judgement made by the prosecution inquest committee, head-on in the courts, bringing the truth to light and proving his innocence.
Following this, Okada had commented on a suggestion made by the Chair of the DPJ Caucus in the House of Councillors, Azuma Koshiishi, for a meeting to be held between Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Ozawa, saying to Ozawa: “I would like to create another opportunity for discussions including the Prime Minister.” Okada explained that Ozawa had responded, “I am prepared to meet [Kan].” Okada added that he hoped the meeting could be realized early the following week.
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