Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi wants former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone to quit politics because he's too old -- and people in the 85-year-old's hometown agree.

Many residents of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, responded coolly Thursday to news that Nakasone was resisting calls from the Liberal Democratic Party to make way for younger lawmakers.

The LDP veteran has rejected Koizumi's request to abandon his plans to run in the Nov. 9 general election.