小沢代表進退 「世論」の逆風にたえられるか

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 27, 2009)
Can Ozawa survive public's chagrin?
小沢代表進退　「世論」の逆風にたえられるか（3月27日付・読売社説）

What should Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa make of the latest opinion poll results?
　民主党の小沢代表は、世論調査結果をどう受け止めるのか。

Two out of three voters in an ad hoc survey by The Yomiuri Shimbun said they were not supportive of Ozawa's decision to stay on as party leader following the indictment of his state-funded first secretary over alleged violations of the Political Funds Control Law.
　読売新聞が実施した緊急世論調査で、小沢氏の公設第１秘書が、政治資金規正法違反で起訴されながら、小沢氏が続投を決めたことについて、有権者の３人に２人が「納得できない」と答えた。

Ozawa has said that the issue of whether his staying on would affect the party is wholly in the hands of the public--for better or for worse. The negative public reaction reflected in the survey likely will put fresh pressure on Ozawa to decide on whether to resign.
　小沢氏は、「続投が（民主党に）プラスかマイナスかは、国民の受け取り方次第だ」と表明してきた。調査に表れた国民の厳しい反応は、小沢氏に改めて進退について決断を迫るものとなろう。

However, this is not the only bad news for Ozawa and the DPJ.
　小沢氏や民主党にとってマイナス材料はこれにとどまらない。

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Voter support fading fast

Asked in the survey whether Ozawa was accountable over suspected illegal donations made by a construction firm to his political fund-management organization, most of the respondents said "no."
　ゼネコンからの資金管理団体への違法献金について、小沢氏が「国民に説明責任を果たしていると思うか」との問いに、大多数がノーと答えている。

Ozawa has held a number of press conferences since the scandal broke, during which he has claimed the allegations are minor and concern only formalities over donations made. He has thus failed to frankly answer questions that are at the heart of this political scandal, and the views expressed by voters in the survey are therefore only natural.
　小沢氏は、これまで記者会見を重ねてきたが、事件を軽微な形式犯のように主張し、献金疑惑の核心に正面から答えてこなかった。有権者のこうした見方は、当然のことだろう。

At the press conference following the indictment, Ozawa said, "My primary mission is to have parliamentary democracy take root in Japan through a change in power," a reiteration of his push for a DPJ victory in the next general election.
　記者会見で小沢氏は、「政権交代によって日本に議会制民主主義を定着させることが私の大使命」と、次期総選挙で民主党の勝利をめざす考えを力説している。

But the survey results do not match Ozawa's ambitions.
　しかし、調査結果は、このような小沢氏の言い分を打ち砕くような数字が多い。

Regarding who is better suited to serve as prime minister, fewer respondents chose Ozawa than Prime Minister Taro Aso. In previous surveys conducted since December--even following the arrest of the secretary in early March--Ozawa had maintained his lead against Aso. But now the situation has suddenly been reversed.
　小沢代表と麻生首相では、どちらが首相にふさわしいかという質問では、麻生氏を下回った。昨年１２月以降は、今月初めの公設秘書逮捕直後の調査も含めて、小沢氏が優位を保っていた。それが一気に逆転した。

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LDP regains edge

In previous surveys when voters were asked which party would receive their support in proportional representation votes, the DPJ had a sizable lead over the Liberal Democratic Party. But the latest survey finds the two parties neck and neck. In a survey from early March, overall approval ratings for the two parties were almost level, but the latest survey now shows the LDP has pulled ahead of the DPJ.
　次の総選挙の比例代表選で、どの政党に投票するかでも、民主党が自民党を大きくリードしていたが、今回、肩を並べた。今月初めの調査でほぼ横並びだった政党支持率についても、今回は自民党のリードを許した。

The Aso Cabinet had seen its approval rating plunge since late last year, and the Cabinet's stability has looked in doubt. But adverse winds blowing against the Aso Cabinet have changed direction and are now buffeting the DPJ under Ozawa's leadership.
　昨年末から内閣支持率が急落して政権の維持すらおぼつかなかった麻生内閣への逆風は、一転、小沢民主党に向かった形だ。

Criticism also has been voiced over the DPJ's decision to allow Ozawa to remain in his post. The public's disapproval is likely the result of party members failing to hold any constructive talks on the scandal involving the party leader.
　民主党が、小沢氏の続投を了承したことにも、批判の目が注がれている。“党首のスキャンダル”になんら建設的な論議がみられなかったためだろう。

However, with Ozawa expressing his intention to stay on, open calls within the party for him to step down have begun. Public sentiment expressed in the latest survey certainly will accelerate talks on the question of whether Ozawa should resign.
　ただ、小沢氏が続投を表明してから、党内でも「小沢降ろし」が公然化してきた。今回の「世論」が、小沢代表の進退問題の論議を加速させるのは確実だ。

How will DPJ executives act given the current situation? This is a test of their collective ability to handle a crisis.
　党執行部は、ここでどんな対応をみせるのか。民主党の危機管理能力が問われている。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 27, 2009)
（2009年3月27日01時32分 読売新聞）