Since political parties by definition seek to attain control of government, it is only natural that the Democratic Party and other opposition groups should have demanded Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's resignation in unison. On the other hand, it is incumbent upon journalists to comment on government policies from a much broader perspective.
In reality, however, newspapers appear to be only interested in finding fault with Mori's every word. Those assigned to report on the prime minister chase him around the clock, putting unbearable pressure on him.
In France, members of the news media stop following the president after 6 p.m. out of recognition that he is entitled to some privacy. Why don't Japan's media follow this example and give the prime minister a break?