Pressure mounted Friday on Justice Minister Minoru Yanagida to resign over his remarks scoffing at his Diet duties, as members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan-led administration gradually distanced themselves from him and the opposition camp pledged to slap him with censure motions.
The Liberal Democratic Party earlier in the day said it will submit a nonbinding censure motion Monday against Yanagida to the opposition-controlled Upper House and a no-confidence motion to the Lower House if he has not resigned by then.
Despite the DPJ's internal criticism, Prime Minister Naoto Kan, the party leader, defended Yanagida, saying to journalists Friday night: "He said he is deeply sorry and will try his best. I want him to continue to try."