The arrest of the chief secretary of the Democratic Party of Japan leader Mr. Ichiro Ozawa on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Control Law has dealt a severe blow to the No. 1 opposition party. The damage to the DPJ is great all the more because the party is regarded as having a chance to win the coming general elections.

Although further investigation is needed to determine whether Mr. Ozawa's arrested aide deserves indictment, it is regrettable that the arrest has further deepened people's distrust of politics at a time when the nation is experiencing an economic crisis and people's support for Prime Minister Taro Aso Cabinet has dropped to an extremely low level. Both ruling and opposition forces should tackle important political issues, including bills related to the fiscal 2009 budget, in earnest.

At a news conference the day after the arrest, Mr. Ozawa declared that he will not step down as DPJ head, saying the suspicions surrounding his secretary are groundless. But he should realize that he needs to give more detailed explanations.