The Democratic Party of Japan discussed the length of the next party president's term Thursday as part of efforts to convince deputy chief Ichiro Ozawa to take the helm.
DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada formally asked Ozawa on Wednesday to succeed Naoto Kan, who resigned the presidency after admitting he did not pay mandatory pension premiums into the National Pension System.
Ozawa replied that DPJ members must put aside their differences and close ranks before he would consider leading the party. Okada will meet again with Ozawa on Friday.