Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda made a pitch Friday to Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa to forge a grand coalition in a bid to break the stalemate in the divided Diet, but the DPJ rejected the offer.</PARAGRAPH>
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<TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda –
shares a laugh with Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa prior to their talks Friday at the Diet.
AP PHOTO
Ozawa, however, showed flexibility toward the new Maritime Self-Defense Force logistic support bill, which has been a key bone of contention.
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