Democratic Party of Japan members gathered at their annual convention Sunday to show their resolution to defeat the LDP-New Komeito coalition's government in this year's general election.
"Fellow party members, the time has finally come this year. We will win the Lower House election and will establish a new administration based on the policy of prioritizing the lives of the public," DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa said during the convention in Tokyo.
Ozawa said that under the global financial crisis and declining domestic economy, Prime Minister Taro Aso and his Cabinet have not called an election to seek public judgment nor have they carried out effective economic measures, resulting in a political vacuum that has lasted months.