Even after being forced to resign as Democratic Party of Japan president because of a scandal involving his secretary, Ichiro Ozawa appears to exert strong influence over his successor, Yukio Hatoyama.

A second factor that may augur ill for the unity of the No. 1 opposition party ahead of the next general election (due no later than September) is that a number of DPJ lawmakers who had distanced themselves from Ozawa have rallied behind Katsuya Okada, who lost to Hatoyama in the party election to replace Ozawa.

Ozawa, 67, was forced to step down as the DPJ leader May 11 after his official secretary was arrested and indicted in connection with political contributions made by a major construction company. Five days later, in a contest between party secretary general Hatoyama, 62, and Okada, 56, DPJ lawmakers voted 124-95 to have Hatoyama succeed Ozawa. Hatoyama then named Okada, 56, as the new secretary general.