Japanese ruling coalition partner starts to waver

November 18, 2000
Web posted at: 9:32 PM HKT (1332 GMT)

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) -- A key partner in Japan's ruling three-way coalition said on Saturday he would demand the resignation of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori if defeat looks likely in a no-confidence vote put forward by the opposition.

It was the first indication of dissension in the coalition, led by Mori's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), since the political crisis erupted late last week.

The turmoil engulfing Mori was triggered by LDP heavyweight Koichi Kato, who has said he wants to replace Mori as prime minister and has vowed to support the opposition-led vote of no confidence in Mori's government on Monday.

"The New Komeito wants neither a split of the LDP nor a Lower House dissolution for a general election, which LDP executives have called for in the event that the motion passes," New Komeito leader Takenori Kanzaki said on Saturday.

If the motion is seen as likely to pass, the Komeito must make various efforts to settle the turmoil, Kanzaki said, adding that one option would be to call for Mori's resignation before the motion is put to a vote in parliament's powerful Lower House on Monday evening.

The outcome of the no-confidence vote hangs in the balance.

Kato, along with the majority of his 45-member group in the multi-faction LDP, and a key ally who commands the loyalty of 18 lawmakers have said they will back the no-confidence vote in the 480-member Lower House.

With opposition parties holding 190 seats, they need the support of 50 LDP lawmakers to win.

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