The Democratic Party held a general meeting of its Diet members on Nov. 8 and approved the following party personnel appointments: Former Senior Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Teruhiko Mashiko (70; House of Councillors, Fukushima district) was approved as secretary-general, Former Parliamentary Secretary of Health, Labor and Welfare Shinya Adachi (60; House of Councillors, Oita district) was appointed chair of the Policy Research Committee, Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano (68; House of Representatives, Osaka No. 11 district) was selected as chair of the Diet Affairs Committee, and Former Senior Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Takashi Shinohara (69; House of Representatives, Nagano No. 1 district) was approved as chair of the Election Campaign Committee. Hirano and Shinohara were elected as independents in the recent Lower House election and belong to the Club of Independents in the House of Representatives.