Coalition members joined the opposition in criticizing Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Thursday after it was learned he accepted a 40 million yen membership at a Yokohama golf club from a business executive for virtually nothing.
The news sparked a member of the largest faction of Mori's Liberal Democratic Party to call for a quick party presidential election, currently slated for September.
In addition, a senior member of coalition partner New Komeito described Mori's deeds as inappropriate.