Defying prosecutors and claiming his innocence over a shady 2004 land purchase, Ichiro Ozawa has shown no indications of giving up his status as the administration's kingpin.
Experts say regardless of what the investigation may reveal in the future, Ozawa's persistence in holding onto his post as secretary general of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan could become a thorn in Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's side.
Having Ozawa at the forefront will only continue to provide an easy target for Hatoyama's opponents, especially at a special Diet meeting next month scheduled by the ruling coalition and the opposition to debate control over political funds, they said.