JAPAN

DPJ nixes Fukuda's coalition offer to Ozawa

But opposition chief open to the MSDF bill

By Masami Ito
right

Nov 3, 2007

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda made a pitch Friday to Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa to forge a grand coalition in a bid to break the stalemate in the divided Diet, but the DPJ rejected the offer.</PARAGRAPH> <PHOTO> <TABLE WIDTH='250' ALIGN='RIGHT' BORDER='0'> <TR> <TD><IMG ALT='News photo' BORDER='0' SRC='../images/photos2007/nn20071103a1a.jpg' WIDTH='250' HEIGHT='163'/></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda –

shares a laugh with Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa prior to their talks Friday at the Diet. AP PHOTO

Ozawa, however, showed flexibility toward the new Maritime Self-Defense Force logistic support bill, which has been a key bone of contention.