DPJ lawmaker: Ozawa should consider stepping down

A senior lawmaker of Japan's ruling Democratic Party has suggested that its Secretary General, Ichiro Ozawa, should consider stepping down. Ozawa's former and current secretaries have been indicted over a scandal involving his political fund management group.

Former party policy chief Yukio Edano made the suggestion in a speech in Saitama City, near Tokyo, on Monday.

Edano cited recent polls which show that a majority of people are unhappy with Ozawa's comments on the case.

He said Ozawa must give a more satisfactory explanation to the public, or the party will not be able to implement its policies, no matter how many seats it holds in the Diet.

Edano indicated that Ozawa should consider resigning if he fails to convince the public that he has done nothing wrong.

2010/02/08 12:08(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)