Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku, considered the most influential politician in Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration, created a stir Friday when he hinted he may step down.
The remark came at a sensitive time as calls have been rising in the Democratic Party of Japan for Kan to reshuffle the Cabinet. They say he should start fresh by replacing Sengoku and transport minister Sumio Mabuchi, who were targeted with nonbinding censure motions last week by the opposition camp.
"I'm not told anything (by Kan). I may be asked to focus on the justice ministerial post," said Sengoku, who has been doubling as justice minister.