Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe said Monday he will leave the ruling Liberal Democratic Party if his policy proposals are not seriously considered, including calling an early general election and cancelling a cash payout program.
His departure from the party appeared unavoidable by the evening, when Prime Minister Taro Aso, who is also LDP President, rejected Watanabe's proposals.
"It is more important to implement policies than to call an election. I have been saying the same thing," Aso told reporters, adding that he does not plan to reconsider the cash handout.