On March 3, DPJ President Katsuya Okada held his regular press conference inside the Diet building.
Okada commented on the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Security Council implementing additional sanctions against North Korea, saying, “I commend the fact that an extremely substantial resolution has been decided. We also value China’s participation in these discussions which has demonstrated a certain sense of urgency.” He added, “I wonder how far the effectiveness of [the new resolution] can be guaranteed. It will be necessary for all concerned, including the Japanese government, to take thorough measures to ensure that the effectiveness of this decision is increased.”
Okada also criticized Prime Minister Abe for expressing the desire to revise the Constitution on the one hand, while at the same time refusing to answer a question relating to the content of the LDP’s constitution revision proposal posed to him in the Diet by saying “This is not the place for such a discussion.” Okada attacked this behavior, stressing, “The Prime Minister has the responsibility to explain to the people by the House of Councillors election what he is going to change and how. He should not be trying to get a carte blanche.”
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