Democratic Party of Japan heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa is being driven into a corner over mounting calls, including from within the DPJ, to give sworn testimony in the Diet over his money scandal and may feel compelled to quit the party, a move his allies would likely follow.
Ozawa has steadfastly refused to give unsworn testimony before the Lower House ethics panel only to now find himself coming under pressure to appear under oath.
If Ozawa leaves the DPJ, some of his loyal supporters would probably leave with him, weakening the party's strength under Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who is being forced to reach out to the opposition for cooperation to gain enough votes to pass next year's budget.