Members of the Liberal Democratic Party's executive council criticized Junichiro Koizumi, the health and welfare minister, on Oct. 14 for commenting that bureaucratic influence has led LDP members to oppose the privatization of postal services.Koizumi made the remark on a TV talk show Oct. 12.During a regular meeting of the executive council, Shunpei Tsukahara said Koizumi's comments were baseless and insulting to LDP members. He demanded that the LDP expel Koizumi unless the remark is retracted, Tsukahara told reporters after the meeting.Koizumi, who is calling for the privatization of postal services, said Oct. 12 he will resign if the government decides to maintain the post ministry's mail, savings and "kampo" insurance services.
