The recent change of government in Japan, resulting from Yoshiro Mori's replacement of the ailing Keizo Obuchi as prime minister, was accompanied by another important development: the end of a conflict between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's Secretary General Hiromu Nonaka and Liberal Party leader Ichiro Ozawa. The behind-the-scenes battle that had continued for several years ended in a total victory for Nonaka when Ozawa was forced to leave the governing coalition made up of the LDP, LP and New Komeito. After rocking Japanese politics with his strong-arm tactics for years, Ozawa is now politically isolated.

There is widespread speculation that Obuchi's stroke was triggered by one-on-one talks that he held with Ozawa, an old friend of his, the night before. Immediately after the talks, Obuchi reportedly lost the ability to use or understand words.

According to political insiders, Ozawa told Obuchi during the talks that Nonaka was masterminding efforts to drive a wedge between him and his followers by urging them to leave the boss. Ozawa reportedly demanded Nonaka's ouster and asked to rejoin the LDP, from which he had bolted. Obuchi turned down Ozawa's proposal and decided to let Ozawa leave the ruling alliance. Intense stress during the negotiations triggered Obuchi's sudden collapse, according to the insiders.