EDITORIAL: Edano's appointment

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took a bold step in appointing Yukio Edano, former chairman of the Democratic Party of Japan's Policy Research Committee, as minister in charge of the Government Revitalization Unit.

Hatoyama expressed high expectations of Edano in the post, saying, "I want him to take the initiative to once again enhance public trust in the DPJ."

Edano played a leading role in the task force that scrutinized government projects last fall to cut wasteful spending. He also supported Yoshito Sengoku, who as minister for government revitalization was in charge of the program.

The government plans to begin a second round of screening this spring that will target independent administrative organizations, public interest corporations and special account budget spending. But it will likely prove very difficult to find new ways to cut back on spending so as to free up funds for policies proposed in the DPJ's election manifesto. There is no guarantee the process will produce positive results as it did last fall.

We believe Edano's appointment at this juncture is appropriate because he has considerable expertise in policy matters.

Edano's competence aside, there was another reason he was appointed.

Edano is one of a number of influential DPJ politicians who keep a distance from Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa. It was rumored that it was because of his anti-Ozawa stance that Edano was left with no executive post when the Hatoyama administration took the reins of power. Referring to the scandal over a questionable land transaction involving Ozawa, Edano said: "He needs to draw a clear line. And that includes stepping down."

Money scandals involving Hatoyama and Ozawa have undermined public trust in the administration. That is reflected in falling public approval ratings for the Cabinet.

Increasingly, people have the impression that the administration is dominated by Ozawa and that it depends on him for practically everything--from elections and Diet affairs to policies. The headwind blowing against Hatoyama is gaining strength.

Hatoyama's appointment of Edano to a key post was apparently intended to show that he is not under Ozawa's thumb, especially now that scandal involving the political veteran has subsided.

This does not mean that Hatoyama is able to act independently of Ozawa.

Calls are growing among the public for Ozawa to step down as secretary-general. But Hatoyama has allowed Ozawa to stay on. The appointment of Edano was also made with Ozawa's approval.

Hatoyama cannot escape the criticism that he is only trying to keep the administration afloat within bounds that are acceptable to Ozawa.

He needs to persuade Ozawa to provide a convincing explanation before the Diet about the money scandal. Prosecutors only dropped the case because they did not have sufficient evidence. That does not prove his innocence. Nor does it give him an excuse to evade accountability.

If Hatoyama is unable to press Ozawa, he must be prepared to eventually make a decision to oust Ozawa.

The administration suffered a deep wound. It may be difficult to stop the bleeding by merely applying a bandage. Edano must also find it unpleasant to be required to play the role of a bandage.

What needs to be "revitalized" is the increasingly stuffy atmosphere enshrouding the administration and the DPJ. We expect Edano to play a part in achieving that goal. As a matter of course, no one but the prime minister has the final responsibility.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 11