The Democratic Party of Japan's key executive body opted Tuesday to suspend Ichiro Ozawa's party membership pending the outcome of his trial, despite rising pressure from the indicted kingpin's allies to withhold punishment.
Besieged Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who is also the DPJ president, meanwhile apparently warned he might dissolve the Lower House and call a snap election amid the threats from both Ozawa's disciples and the opposition camp not to vote for key bills needed to support the fiscal 2011 budget.
The Social Democratic Party meanwhile said it will oppose the budget-related bills, effectively killing any chance they will clear the Diet without massive revisions.