2 LDP bigwigs say they will quit to take blame for local poll losses

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TOKYO, July 14 Kyodo -
(EDS: FIXING TYPO IN EDS. CORRECTING NAME OF LDP GENERAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN'S FIRST
NAME IN 10TH GRAF. THE NAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN 'TAKASHI,' NOT 'AKIRA' AS SENT. ADDING
MORE INFO ON HIGASHIKOKUBARU AT 3RD-4TH GRAFS FROM BOTTOM)
In a sign of growing turmoil in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party ahead
of a general election, two LDP heavyweights said Tuesday they would resign to
take the blame for consecutive losses in major local elections, although party
leaders tried to persuade them to stay on.
Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as LDP president and has the final say
over the appointment of the party's top officials, told LDP Secretary General
Hiroyuki Hosoda on Tuesday evening to try again to talk Makoto Koga, chairman
of the LDP's Election Strategy Council, into staying on.
''I have no intention of accepting his resignation,'' he said. ''If someone has
to take responsibility for the outcomes of the local elections, the election
strategy council chairman should not take it alone but all of us should.''
Analysts say the disarray is expected to deal another blow to the LDP led by
the embattled Aso and harm the already slim chances of the ruling LDP-New
Komeito coalition's winning the election over the emboldened main opposition
Democratic Party of Japan.
It follows Aso's officially announcement Monday that he would dissolve the Diet
as early as July 21 for an election on Aug. 30.
At a meeting of the party's General Council on Tuesday morning, Koga said he
would stand down after coming under fire for his handling of election affairs,
according to LDP lawmakers.
Hidehisa Otsuji, head of the LDP's upper house caucus, also left the meeting
after saying he would resign as well if the party's leadership were to be held
responsible for the losses, they said.
But Hosoda told reporters after the meeting that he could not accept Koga's
resignation prior to next month's general election and has urged him to remain
in the post, while other executive members are also trying to convince Otsuji
to do the same.
Koga told reporters after leaving the gathering he would not step down, but
people around him said he told them he will stick to his word and quit.
LDP General Council Chairman Takashi Sasagawa told a press conference Koga left
the room soon after expressing his intention to resign, but he seems to be
willing to continue his duties until after the general election set for Aug.
30.
In a separate LDP meeting, former LDP Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa, who
is at the forefront of a movement against Aso, urged him to quit, stressing
that a ''personnel reshuffle is necessary'' in order for the LDP to win this
uphill battle.
While noting that he has not been informed of the details, Chief Cabinet
Secretary Takeo Kawamura, an LDP lawmaker, said at a press conference Koga is
one of the control towers for the LDP and he hopes Koga will stay in his post.
According to the lawmakers, Koga was criticized in particular for having asked
Miyazaki Gov. Hideo Higashikokubaru to run in the upcoming House of
Representatives election for the LDP.
The popular comedian-turned-governor responded to the offer, saying he would
run only if he could be a candidate for next LDP president and if the LDP
incorporates pledges concerning decentralization of power into its campaign
platform, a move that has stirred controversy and weakened the already frail
unity of the long-dominant party.
Later Tuesday, Koga told reporters, ''The manifesto is the soul of an election
and we will adhere to the Liberal Democratic Party's point of view,''
indicating a negative stance on accepting the conditions presented by
Higashikokubaru and fielding him as a party candidate.
On Koga's announcement of his intention to resign, the governor said Tuesday he
assumes it is his reaction to the fact that the party has failed to change,
noting he heard Koga saying before that he wants to change the LDP.
Candidates backed by the ruling coalition of the LDP and the New Komeito party
lost to candidates supported by the DPJ in mayoral polls in Nagoya, Saitama and
Chiba as well a gubernatorial race in Shizuoka Prefecture.
On Sunday, the ruling bloc lost its majority in the Tokyo metropolitan assembly
election.
==Kyodo
2009-07-14 22:31:32