LEAD: Ozawa accepts Hatoyama`s nomination to become DPJ secretary general

TOKYO, Sept. 3 Kyodo -
(EDS: UPDATING)
Ichiro Ozawa, the election campaign manager of the Democratic Party of Japan,
accepted a request Thursday from DPC President and Prime Minister in waiting
Yukio Hatoyama to become the party's next secretary general.
Ozawa, currently one of the party's acting presidents, told reporters after
meeting with Hatoyama at the party headquarters that he accepted the
nomination, saying, ''Since I'm a party man, I will accept the president's
request.''
Ozawa has been credited with engineering the party's resounding victory in
Sunday's House of Representatives election.
But some DPJ members wary of Ozawa's views on some issues have voiced concerns
that if the veteran politician assumes the key post it could lead to further
expansion of his influence within the party.
In a group interview on Aug. 31, Hatoyama indicated he may install Ozawa as
well as another acting president, Naoto Kan, in important posts in the party
leadership or the Cabinet.
Ozawa was formerly DPJ president and was succeeded by Hatoyama in May.
Ozawa, 67, is a former member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as are
the 62-year-old Hatoyama and many other DPJ members.
==Kyodo