Voices critical of Prime Minister Naoto Kan appear to be getting louder within the Democratic Party of Japan. One cannot give high marks to Mr. Kan for his performance as the nation's leader in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Even so, as Japan faces the difficult task of reconstruction and bringing the nuclear accidents at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant under control, DPJ politicians should realize that now is not the time for intraparty bickering.
It has been reported that on April 12, former DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa hinted to DPJ lawmakers close to him that he may support a no-confidence motion against Mr. Kan if the Liberal Democratic Party submits such a motion to the Diet. He reportedly said that a "no-confidence motion is the only way to get Prime Minister Kan to resign."