Elected Kan stirs DPJ's factions' war after Ozawa 150 MPs' defeat

Ichiro Ozawa, the shadow shogun, ousted?

Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) legislators close to former DPJ Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa are intensifying their struggle opposition against Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan. The opposition of this DPJ faction comes after the Kan appointement of Yukio Edano, former state minister for government revitalization and a staunch Ozawa opponent, to succeed Ozawa as Democratic party secretary-general.

With the House of Councillors election looming this summer, Kan aims to recover the declining public support rate for the government and the DPJ by projecting an anti-Ozawa image. But such a strategy could adversely affect the stability of the administration, only boosting discontent among members of the pro-Ozawa group.

Ozawa's faction agitation is next move. He and his 150 MPs' to act in the shadow until September DPJ convention leadership election. Ozawa will strike again...

Sources: Reporter's notes