The Liberal Party, the smallest member of the ruling coalition, appears to be splitting up.
At least 11 of its lawmakers on Thursday made clear their intention to remain in the coalition, defying their maverick leader, Ichiro Ozawa, who has been suggesting defection.
Following the collapse of electoral cooperation talks between the 50-member Liberal Party and the Liberal Democratic Party last week, Ozawa suggested on Wednesday that the Liberal Party either merge with the LDP or leave the ruling camp, arguing that the party would not survive the election if it remains part of the current coalition.