Clinton requests meeting with DPJ's Ozawa during Japan visit

TOKYO, Feb. 10 Kyodo - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has sounded out holding a meeting with Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, during her three-day visit from next Monday, party sources said Tuesday.

There was a request for a meeting on Feb. 17 via the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo late
last week, the sources said.
Ozawa is expected to give his reply while taking into account the current
parliamentary situation, which sees the ruling and opposition blocs at odds,
they said.
If realized, issues relating to the Japan-U.S. security alliance, including the
realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, are likely to be on the agenda, they said.
Visiting foreign ministers sometimes meet with Japanese opposition leaders, but
it is said rare for a U.S. state secretary to request such a meeting.
The request has been lodged against the backdrop of falling support rates for
the Cabinet of Prime Minister Taro Aso.
A House of Representatives election will be held by the fall and there is a
possibility that the DPJ will wrestle power from the current ruling coalition.
Clinton is to meet Aso and Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone on Feb. 17 and
leave Japan the following day for visits to Indonesia, South Korea and China.