His political future in the balance, Democratic Party of Japan chief Ichiro Ozawa caught a much needed break Tuesday when prosecutors chose to limit their indictment of his chief secretary to violating the Political Funds Control Law and forgoing perhaps more damaging charges related to rigging bids for public works projects.
Nevertheless, though DPJ members have expressed their willingness to stand behind Ozawa, the largest opposition party has its work cut out. The money scandal surrounding Ozawa can only harm the party's chances in the next Lower House election, which must be held by fall.
Some political experts suggest DPJ executives will be hard pressed to clarify the party's stance on the regulation of political funds even as they scramble to unite the party behind a scandal-tainted leader.