The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is expected to formally approve Ichiro Ozawa for the party's No. 2 post of secretary general at a joint plenary meeting of its party lawmakers from both lower and upper houses Sept. 15, Kyodo News said Saturday.

DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama has nominated Ozawa as secretary general, saying the move is aimed at ensuring another election victory next year. Ozawa is seen as the main architect of the DPJ' s landslide victory in Aug. 30 general election, Kyodo quoted DPJ lawmakers as saying.

The joint meeting of the lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, a decision-making body, will be held a day before an extra Diet session is convened.

Hatoyama is expected to be voted in as Japan's next prime minister on Sept. 16 during the Diet session.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2009)