Infighting in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is intensifying. Former Secretary General Koichi Kato is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, citing his low approval ratings. Tension is also building outside the LDP now that major opposition parties are set to present a no-confidence motion against the Mori Cabinet in a Lower House plenary session today. The political landscape could change; it all depends on how the vote turns out.
A showdown -- between mainstream and nonmainstream LDP factions, as well as between the ruling and opposition parties -- seems inevitable. Mr. Kato, leader of the second-largest LDP faction, has made it clear that he will support the opposition motion. Members of his group and other pro-Kato LDP legislators are expected to follow suit.
The mainstream factions of the LDP that back the prime minister -- the Hashimoto, Mori and Eto-Kamei groups -- are determined to defeat the motion. Mr. Mori himself has emphasized that he will face the challenge squarely. Party executives have warned that if the motion carries, the Lower House will be dissolved to call a general election, and that those who side with the opposition will be expelled from the party. The other two ruling parties -- New Komeito and the New Conservative Party -- are rallying behind Mr. Mori.