The Liberal Democratic Party's largest faction decided Thursday to unify solely under former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura in an attempt to muzzle outspoken faction manager Hidenao Nakagawa and keep him in line with its goals.
The Machimura faction used to have three managers — Lower House members Machimura and Nakagawa, and Shuzen Tanigawa of the Upper House — with former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori serving as supreme adviser.
But Mori has become furious with Nakagawa for leveling criticism at Prime Minister and LDP President Taro Aso. He suggested at the faction's weekly meeting Thursday that the group follow just one leader — Machimura.
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