Liberal Party leader Ichiro Ozawa may deliver another "ultimatum" to Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi as early as today over the possible withdrawal of his 51-member party from its 14 monthlong alliance with Obuchi's Liberal Democratic Party.
Ozawa told senior Liberal Party members at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on Monday that he will meet with the prime minister prior to a Wednesday evening party meeting during which Ozawa will notify the party's rank-and-file members of his intentions.
Ozawa also told party officials to state their opinions about the party's future direction before Wednesday's party meeting, according to Liberal Party Secretary General Hirohisa Fujii, who briefed reporters.