Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka on Wednesday told Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi that he intends to resign when the new Cabinet is formed.
Despite Obuchi's urging that he remain in his post, Nonaka told reporters that he would not change his mind.
Nonaka, 73, has been a key player in the Obuchi administration since its launch in July of last year. A senior member of the LDP faction led by Obuchi, Nonaka is widely known as the architect of the planned tripartite coalition involving the LDP, the Liberal Party and New Komeito.
His decision to leave the Cabinet, which came a day after Obuchi was re-elected as party chief, could affect the power balance within the LDP.
Obuchi met with Nonaka for 1 1/2 hours over dinner at the Prime Minister's Official Residence Wednesday evening. Emerging from the talks, Nonaka told reporters, "I believe (the prime minister) understood my wishes."
Obuchi asked Nonaka to give him more time to think over the matter, stressing that they had worked as a team ever since the current administration's launch.
"I am too old now and I am burned out after serving in the post for a year and two months," Nonaka said. He said someone in his position should retire when the prime minister is about to launch a new Cabinet and a new coalition.
Informed sources said Obuchi will eventually give up on Nonaka, whose resolve appears firm, and pick Mikio Aoki, secretary general of the LDP's House of Councilors contingent, as his successor. Aoki is known as a close aide to Noboru Takeshita, a former prime minister and Obuchi's mentor.