The largest faction of the Liberal Democratic Party remains paralyzed as it struggles to find a successor to its scandal-tainted former leader, former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.
The 82-member-strong Heisei Kenkyukai, or Heisei Study Group, did not meet Thursday. All LDP factions usually hold general meetings at noon Thursday while the Diet is in session -- a tradition that helps confirm members' loyalty.
This is an indication of the inertia that has gripped the group, once a dominating force in the nation's political arena, since Hashimoto stepped down as leader on July 30 amid allegations that he received a covert 100 million yen donation from the Japan Dental Association.