Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taku Yamasaki said Sunday that the government is being heavy-handed in dealing with the dismissal of Japan Highway Public Corp. President Haruho Fujii.

The government "should have persuaded him (into resigning), instead of carrying out the hearing in a high-handed manner," said Yamasaki, one of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's closest LDP allies.

Meanwhile, Fujii's dismissal is likely to take place Thursday or Friday, rather than Monday as planned by the transport minister, government sources said.