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September 5, 2008 11:09:43 PM CDT

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Japanese Opposition Leader Un-Quits

Posted Nov 6, 07 12:20 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – The leader of Japan's opposition party has withdrawn his resignation after 2 days of wrangling in the country's latest political crisis, Bloomberg reports. "This is truly embarrassing," a party official quoted Ichiro Ozawa as saying. The Democratic Party of Japan had asked Ozawa to reconsider, fearing a split in the party and a weak election showing.

The opposition captured the upper house of parliament in July and has prevented new PM Yasuo Fukuda from moving any legislation forward. Ozawa offered his resignation after being criticized for his willingness to entertain the possibility of a coalition government. At issue is Japanese navy support to coalition troops in Afghanistan, the BBC reports; approval expired November 1, and the opposition is resisting government efforts to renew the mandate.

Sources Bloomberg, BBC

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Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa speaks at political party leaders' debate in Tokyo, in this July 11, 2007, file photo. Ozawa, president of the country's main opposition Democratic Party...   (Associated Press)
Japan's major opposition party leader Ichiro 0zawa leaves a hotel where he's been staying by car in Tokyo on Tuesday November 6, 2007. Ozawa, president of the Democratic Party of Japan, has abandoned...   (Associated Press)
Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, leaves his regular press conference at the party headquarters in Tokyo Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, following his party's victory over...   (Associated Press)
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Japan  • Yasuo Fukuda  • Democratic Party of Japan  • Ichiro Ozawa


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