Ichiro Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan

"Our goal at the DPJ is to take over power and create a new Japan by breaking from the past and vested interests. This is real reform," Ozawa said at the meeting.

Right after the convention, however, he entered a Tokyo hospital due to a cold, where he will stay there for a few days for medical checks.

Acting DPJ President Naoto Kan and Secretary-General Yukio Hatoyama were also endorsed at the meeting.

According to Kan, Ozawa's personal doctor recommended that he have a checkup because he will have heavy tasks as DPJ head, including preparing for the Upper House election.

The presidential campaign kicked off Sept. 12, but with no other candidates running, Ozawa won a two-year term without a vote.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 30, 2006
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