Ozawa Leaves Ruling DPJ Over Japan Sales Tax in Blow to Noda
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Former Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa will leave the ruling bloc to form his own political group, complicating Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s efforts to pass legislation doubling the consumption tax.
Lawmaker Kenji Yamaoka submitted a letter of resignation to DPJ Secretary-General Azuma Koshiishi today in Tokyo on behalf of 50 lawmakers, 38 from the lower house of parliament and 12 from the upper chamber. Ozawa, 70, and 56 other ruling party legislators voted against the sales tax bill in the lower house on June 26.