Democratic Party of Japan executives in a hastily arranged huddle Monday tried to persuade Ichiro Ozawa to remain DPJ president despite the widespread assumption that he will not reverse his intention to step down.
Later the same day, DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama met with Ozawa and urged him to reconsider. Ozawa responded that he couldn't give an immediate answer as he had submitted his letter of resignation only the day before, according to Hatoyama.
Ozawa's sudden offer to resign has rocked political circles and the DPJ. Though former DPJ Presidents Katsuya Okada and Naoto Kan have been floated as possible successors, the executives said Monday they will try to persuade Ozawa to remain as chief.