Embattled Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, who narrowly survived a recent no-confidence motion, was dealt another serious blow Friday with the sudden resignation of Hiromu Nonaka, secretary general of his Liberal Democratic Party.
Nonaka, the LDP's power broker, tendered his resignation in a meeting with Mori on Friday afternoon at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.
During a subsequent meeting, Mori and other leaders of the ruling triumvirate urged Nonaka to remain in his post, where he had served as a linchpin in the coalition government. They finally accepted his decision, however, after acknowledging his utter determination to step down.