EDITORIAL: Hatoyama's remarks

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has made yet another astonishing comment, this time in reference to Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Tomohiro Ishikawa, who was arrested by Tokyo prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Political Fund Control Law.

On Thursday, reporters asked Hatoyama whether the DPJ intends to take disciplinary action against Ishikawa, and if so, whether that will be before or after his indictment.

In response, Hatoyama said, "I don't need to answer a hypothetical question, but although I hope he will not be indicted, I intend to decide based on how things turn out."

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office is also a part of the administrative system led by the prime minister. If taken literally, his saying, "I hope he will not be indicted," has serious ramifications.

In a slightly exaggerated sense, Hatoyama's comment is tantamount to interference into the prosecution's investigation, putting pressure on the investigators or taking de facto control of the prosecution process.

However, it seems the prime minister had none of those things in mind.

He retracted his comment after one night, explaining: "I meant to say I was hoping that further investigations would prove his innocence. I have no intention whatsoever of interfering in the investigation process."

In other words, Hatoyama likely meant that if Ishikawa is innocent, then there is no need to even think about any kind of disciplinary action. Perhaps as party leader, Hatoyama was being kind and generous toward a young legislator.

However, these excuses do not pass muster. Hatoyama's comment was extremely rash and irresponsible. It was made in total disregard of his position as prime minister responsible for the entire administrative branch.

Of late, Hatoyama has been shooting his mouth off. After Ishikawa and two other aides of DPJ Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa were arrested by prosecutors, Ozawa said, "I am determined to fight." Hatoyama supported Ozawa by saying: "I believe in you. Please go and fight."

The prime minister has insisted that he only meant to rally behind a comrade. Of course, if this was merely a simple friendship, then that might be acceptable. But the DPJ is now the ruling party and Hatoyama is its leader.

It is his responsibility to urge prosecutors to conduct a fair investigation. And it is also his responsibility to refrain from making any remarks that might lead to any kind of prejudgment. We are disturbed by Hatoyama's penchant for continuously forgetting his position and saying things as if he were a private citizen.

In the Lower House Budget Committee on Friday, Hatoyama again called Ozawa his "comrade," and repeated that he wanted to "believe in him." But he was then asked why he believes in Ozawa, and was told that as prime minister, he was obliged to explain why he believes in the secretary-general.

Hatoyama made his escape by saying: "I am not aware of every detail of his personal political funds. I, therefore, do not believe that I am to be held accountable in this regard."

This is flippant, indeed.

What should Hatoyama, as prime minister, say? He must state clearly that he stands totally neutral concerning the prosecutors' investigations. He must urge Ozawa, whose continued services Hatoyama has accepted, to prove himself accountable by offering a full explanation in news conferences and within the Diet.

Hatoyama should also instruct his party to legislate a total ban on corporate and group political donations.

One other thing Hatoyama must do is to never forget that his own political fund scandal has shaken trust in his government.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 23