More than half of respondents to a recent poll said Democratic Party of Japan leader Seiji Maehara does not need to step down over the turmoil surrounding an e-mail claimed to be evidence of a shady money transfer involving a senior ruling party official.
According to the nationwide telephone poll conducted Saturday and Sunday, 27.6 percent said Maehara should step down over the controversy while 58.7 percent said the opposition leader is accountable for the fuss but there is no need for him to quit.
The number of those who think Maehara has no responsibility came to 7.8 percent.