The warring sides within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party appeared ready Thursday to bring their row to the Lower House plenary session, with both indicating they were prepared for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori submitted by the opposition camp.
A showdown seemed unavoidable as mainstream LDP factions supporting Mori reconfirmed their solidarity in voting down the expected motion, while former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato said he was against accepting any compromise, such as the idea of pushing forward the party's presidential election from next fall.
Kato threw down the gauntlet last week by saying Mori should step down, given his flagging popularity.