Japan: Ozawa steps down

[Tender Branson]

Japan opposition leader quits

TOKYO - JAPANESE opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa has told his party he will resign, national broadcaster NHK said on Monday, after a close aide was indicted in a fundraising scandal that clouded his party's prospects in a looming election.

A political stalemate and voters' frustrations with Prime Minister Taro Aso had raised the chances Mr Ozawa would lead his Democratic Party to victory in an election that must be held by October, ending more than 50 years of nearly unbroken rule by Mr Aso's Liberal Democratic Party.

But the Democratic Party's lead in polls has faded after the scandal, clouding the outlook for the solid opposition victory needed to break the deadlock that is stalling policy decisions as Japan struggles with a deepening recession. -- REUTERS

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_375271.html

[big bad fab]

Re-enters Okada ? With Ozawa pulling the strings from behind the scene ?