Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed his political hopes for 2011 at a news conference Tuesday, including his determination to end money-tainted politics and his wish to hold consultations with the opposition forces on reform of the social welfare system and reform of the tax system, which would include raising the consumption tax. But the political situation surrounding him will not allow things to go as smoothly as he wishes.

Mr. Kan said, "This year I want to overcome the problem of money in politics." His remark is aimed at former Democratic Party of Japan chief Ichiro Ozawa, who lost to Mr. Kan in the DPJ's presidential election in September and whose aides have been indicted over political funds scandals. Mr. Kan believes that Mr. Ozawa's presence in the DPJ is a big factor that has caused his Cabinet's approval rating to sink below 30 percent.

As a result of decisions by a citizens' legal panel, Mr. Ozawa is expected to be indicted in late January in connection with his political funds management body's alleged false reporting over a fund raised in 2004. Mr. Ozawa in late December told politicians close to him that he was ready to appear and speak before the Lower House's Council on Political Ethics even before the start of the 150-day ordinary Diet session this month as Mr. Kan and the DPJ leadership want.