Former Democratic Party of Japan chief Ichiro Ozawa should heed DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada's call to speak before the Lower House's Council on Political Ethics with regard to political fund-reporting irregularities involving Mr. Ozawa's aides. Mr. Ozawa could use his appearance before the ethics council as a chance to clear himself of persistent suspicions that he is linked to money-politics.
Although prosecutors decided not to indict Mr. Ozawa over the reporting irregularities, a citizens' legal panel overrode the decision in favor of indictment. If Mr. Ozawa believes in his innocence, he should explain his case before the ethics council.
In doing so, he could also address the problems of money-influenced politics during the Liberal Democratic Party's rule as viewed by him as an LDP insider politician and how he tried to overcome the problems. If he speaks frankly, it will go a long way toward ending confusion in today's political scene.
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