Top Democratic Party of Japan officials visited Miyake Island on Tuesday to help promote the island's tourism industry, which has been severely damaged in the wake of the volcanic eruptions that started in September 2000.
DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa, Deputy President Naoto Kan and Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama arrived on the island, about 200 km south of Tokyo, at around 5 a.m., party officials said.
As soon as they arrived, they went out and caught 80 fish between them.
"What is most important in a democracy is the number," Ozawa jokingly told reporters, referring to majority rule. "It's a good sign for our party that we captured so many fish this morning."
The visit by the three also appeared to be aimed at showing the unity of the largest opposition party.
