Japan Opposition Leader Quits Ahead of Election

[Coventina]

Source: Washington Post

TOKYO, May 11 -- In this election year in Japan, history-making political change had seemed a sure thing.

The economy was in a deep sinkhole and the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party was in disarray. In late winter, party elders demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Taro Aso, whose approval numbers sank into the single digits.

But scandal has smiled this spring on Aso and his ruling party.

The top aide to the leader of the main opposition party was indicted in March for illegal fundraising. The once-surging poll numbers of the Democratic Party of Japan plummeted. And the veteran leader of the opposition, Ichiro Ozawa, resigned Monday to try to save his party from losing an election that must be held by September.

"I have decided to sacrifice myself and resign as party leader to strengthen our party unity for a clear victory in the next election," Ozawa told a news conference.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/11/AR2009051100761.html

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Yikes! That quote sounds a little ominous!

[Tiggeroshii]

1. So yeah...

This sucks

[nyy1998]

2. Great....

:banghead: