New Komeito on Friday joined other opposition parties in calling for the resignation of Justice Minister Shozaburo Nakamura, who after coming under fire for allegedly abusing his authority has more recently committed a series of gaffes.
By taking a stand, New Komeito, an ally of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, puts the government under greater pressure to act.
Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, secretary general of New Komeito, the second-largest opposition force, said Nakamura could voluntary resign to put the stalled Diet proceedings back on track. Nakamura first came under fire last year for abusing his authority by allegedly prompting an investigation into a resort development project on Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture, that threatened his private business interests.