Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto is not only facing foreign pressure to restore the nation's economic health; he is now also confronted with growing criticism from Japan's business leaders, who are raising doubts about his management of the economy.
Earlier this week, Seiji Tsutsumi, chairman of Saison Corp. and the former deputy chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) called on Hashimoto to step down to take responsibility for mismanaging the nation's economic policy. Such sentiment appears to be spreading among business circles.
Although he did not name a possible candidate, Tsutsumi said that the next prime minister should be strong in economic -- as well as international -- policy.