Ex-Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano indicated Monday he may leave the Liberal Democratic Party and form a new party, saying LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki "is not qualified" to lead since he has failed to attack the current administration's shortcomings and thus hasn't attracted voters.
The threat by Yosano, 71, an LDP heavyweight known for his thorough knowledge of policy affairs, will further weaken the leadership of the main opposition force and could lead to political realignment.
"Support rates for the (ruling) Democratic Party of Japan have fallen, but the support for the LDP has not grown much," Yosano said Monday in an interview with The Japan Times.