New Komeito may desert Mori in no-confidence vote

The tide of ill will against Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori gained momentum Friday when the leader of a key coalition partner said his party may not support Mori in a no-confidence motion.

With criticism against Mori mounting even within his own Liberal Democratic Party, speculation is spreading that the LDP will accelerate toward forcing Mori to step down once passage of the fiscal 2001 budget is secured.

The ruling coalition parties -- the LDP, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party -- hope the budget clears the Lower House in early March. Although Mori's tenure as LDP president runs through late September, some party officials are suggesting that a presidential election be held earlier, possibly in April or May.