Is Ichiro Ozawa hungry for dictatorial power, or is he a political hero seeking to strengthen the Diet by cutting the bureaucracy down to size?
Throughout his long political career, Ozawa, now secretary general of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, has spoken of the need for politicians and not bureaucrats to set policy both in the Diet and in the government.
His efforts have yet to amount to much. But now Ozawa, regarded by some as the most powerful man in the ruling bloc, appears bent on pushing through a key Diet reform bill.
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