Former administrative reform minister Yoshimi Watanabe's resignation from the Liberal Democratic Party highlights a growing rebellion against Prime Minister Aso Taro, who has been struggling to steer the nation amid sagging public support.
But the move also casts light on Watanabe's pet policy: Drastic reform of the bureaucracy, which has effectively crafted national policy since the Meiji Era (1868-1912).
Aso's lack of passion about carrying out bureaucratic reform is the main reason Watanabe says he resigned from the ruling party.