Yoshiro Mori, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, lashed out Tuesday at two candidates in the LDP presidential race, blasting criticisms of a decision to form a coalition government with New Komeito.
Mori said the criticisms will "not benefit the party," and noted the coalition's formation was due to the party's formal decision-making process.
Mori was targeting former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato and former LDP policy affairs chief Taku Yamasaki, both running against the incumbent, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.
Former LDP Secretary General Koichi Kato and former LDP policy affairs chief Taku Yamasaki, both running against the incumbent, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, in the Sept. 21 race, have voiced opposition to inviting New Komeito members to join the Cabinet of the planned coalition government.
But Mori brushed aside the idea, saying it would be "very rude" to New Komeito, because, he said, the party has responded to a formal request made by Obuchi to join the Cabinet, which is now also represented by one member of the Liberal Party, the LDP's current junior coalition partner.