Drawing on Gandhi quotes for inspiration, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called on his colleagues Jan. 29 to make 2010 "a new start for Japan" in his first administrative policy speech at the ordinary Diet session.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama makes his first policy speech in the Diet on Jan. 29. KYODO PHOTO

The prime minister began by repeatedly stressing he wants to "protect lives," and laid out the agenda of his Democratic Party of Japan-led government for rejuvenating the economy, halting global warming and creating stronger ties with the United States and Japan's Asian neighbors.

Hatoyama reaffirmed the importance of ties with the United States and said they would remain unchanged. The relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma will be resolved by the end of May, taking into account the relationship with the United States as well as easing the burden on Okinawa, he said.

Hatoyama did his best to downplay the political funding scandal that has plagued him in recent weeks, saying only that he apologized for causing problems. He made no mention of the funds scandal involving DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa.

"I strongly hope that bipartisan discussions on revising funds management will take place proactively," he said.

The speech, delivered a day after the ¥7.9 trillion supplementary budget cleared the Diet, focused more on Hatoyama's ideals rather than specific government plans.

Hatoyama quoted the seven social sins listed by Gandhi, including "commerce without morality" and "politics without principle," saying such failings accurately portray the problems Japan and the world face today.