Lawmakers close to ruling party kingpin Ichiro Ozawa who also head local party chapters might resign in unison to put pressure on his rival, embattled Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
Among Democratic Party of Japan lawmakers loyal to former party head Ozawa, about five who head the party's regional associations are planning to quit some time after the second round of local elections Sunday, they said, warning more local chapter heads may follow suit.
Their dissatisfaction with the party's direction under Kan, who doubles as DPJ president, is behind their decision and sure to widen the rift in the party.