AOMORI, Japan, Oct. 24 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Main opposition Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa said Friday if he becomes prime minister, he would not "miss summit talks" even if he feels sick, countering criticism over his canceling a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the day before due to his health. "On summit talks after I become prime minister, I would not fail to attend even if I'm not feeling quite well," Ozawa said in Aomori Prefecture, where he visited to prepare for the House of Representatives election expected to be called soon.
About his visit to Japan's northeastern prefecture just a day after he cancelled the meeting with the Indian prime minister, Ozawa insisted that he "has to show up (to keep) promises about the election even if I have to crawl."
In another sign that he is placing high priority on election preparation, he skipped a lower house plenary session convened the same day to vote for one of the Bank of Japan leadership posts that has remained vacant for more than six months.
The cancellation has drawn criticism from the ruling parties while triggering concerns from his own party members on whether he is fit enough to fight in the next general election.
But Ozawa said that "there was nothing wrong" because DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama attended the meeting on his behalf.
Ozawa's health problems have been highlighted recently as he was hospitalized for a week through Oct. 13, citing complications from a cold.
