This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8043226.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Japan's opposition head 'to quit' Japan's opposition leader to quit
(about 2 hours later)
Japanese opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa has told his party he will resign, according to Japanese media sources. Japanese opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa has announced his resignation.
Mr Ozawa had been under pressure to go after a close aide was charged in a fundraising scandal in March.Mr Ozawa had been under pressure to go after a close aide was charged in a fundraising scandal in March.
Before the scandal broke, Mr Ozawa was thought likely to unseat the flailing prime minister, Taro Aso, in elections later this year.Before the scandal broke, Mr Ozawa was thought likely to unseat the flailing prime minister, Taro Aso, in elections later this year.
But recent opinion polls have suggested that his popularity has waned as a result of the scandal. But opinion polls have suggested that his popularity has waned as a result of the scandal, and in recent weeks he has faced increasing calls to quit.
Just a few months ago, Mr Ozawa's Democratic Party was confident of victory in the next general election, which must be called by October. "I have decided to sacrifice myself and resign as party leader, to strengthen the unity of the party," Mr Ozawa told a news conference.
He said he did not want to be a burden on the Democrat Party ahead of the looming elections, although he insisted that he had not been personally implicated in any wrongdoing.
"I believe it is imperative that we win the elections," Mr Ozawa said. "I do not want to impede that in any way."
Tokyo prosecutors have alleged Mr Ozawa's political funding organisation received 21 million yen ($216,000; £142,000) in illegal donations from Nishimatsu Construction between 2003-07.
One of his senior aides has been charged with political funding law violations, and two company executives have also been arrested.
Loss of confidence
Just a few months ago, the Democratic Party was confident of victory in the next general election, which must be called by the end of September.
Such a victory would end almost 50 years of unbroken rule by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which is facing huge voter discontent amid the worsening economic gloom.Such a victory would end almost 50 years of unbroken rule by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which is facing huge voter discontent amid the worsening economic gloom.
But ever since the funding scandal broke, Mr Ozawa has been under pressure to quit.But ever since the funding scandal broke, Mr Ozawa has been under pressure to quit.
Loss of confidence
He told several senior members of his party he would quit because he did not want the scandal to hurt the party in coming poll, NHK and other media reported.
"I want [the party] to win the election at any cost. I decided to resign for that reason," he told party officials, according to Jiji news agency.
Tokyo prosecutors allege Mr Ozawa's political funding organisation received 21 million yen ($216,000; £142,000) in illegal donations from Nishimatsu Construction between 2003-07.
One of his senior aides has been charged with political funding law violations, and two company executives have also been arrested.
Mr Ozawa left the LDP in 1993 after losing a power struggle and joined the Democrats after they formed in 1998.Mr Ozawa left the LDP in 1993 after losing a power struggle and joined the Democrats after they formed in 1998.
Commentators say he is a shrewd strategist but has been criticised for what some see as a high-handed attitude.Commentators say he is a shrewd strategist but has been criticised for what some see as a high-handed attitude.
Mr Ozawa is scheduled to hold a news conference later on Monday.