As the ruling Democratic Party of Japan scrambled to get back on its feet Monday a day after voters took away the coalition's Upper House majority, the blame game was quick to commence and the two key targets were Prime Minister Naoto Kan and DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano.
DPJ lawmakers reportedly demanded a shakeup in the party's leadership, including the resignation of Kan and Edano.
Despite the election drubbing the DPJ-Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party) ruling bloc suffered, Kan was quick to say he plans to remain in his post and wants the party's No. 2 man to do the same.