Shiga gov. announces split of antinuclear Tomorrow Party

Shiga gov. announces split of antinuclear Tomorrow Party

OTSU, Japan - Shiga Gov. Yukiko Kada (L) announces at a press conference in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, on Dec. 28, 2012, a split of the antinuclear Tomorrow Party of Japan into two groups only a month after its inception. Powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa (R) sat next to her at the conference. Kada will leave the party with House of Representatives member Tomoko Abe to form a separate party, while party members supporting Ozawa will take the party, which is renamed "Seikatsu no To" (Party of People's Lives).

Shiga gov. announces split of antinuclear Tomorrow Party

Shiga gov. announces split of antinuclear Tomorrow Party

OTSU, Japan - Shiga Gov. Yukiko Kada (L) and powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa hold a press conference in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, on Dec. 28, 2012, to announce a split of the antinuclear Tomorrow Party of Japan into two groups only a month after its inception. Kada will leave the party with House of Representatives member Tomoko Abe to form a separate party, while party members supporting Ozawa will take the party, which is renamed "Seikatsu no To" (Party of People's Lives).

Noda fails to persuade Ozawa to back sales tax hike

Noda fails to persuade Ozawa to back sales tax hike

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda answers reporters' questions at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 30, 2012, after meeting with former ruling Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa, in an attempt to persuade the DPJ powerbroker to drop his opposition to the government's policy goal of raising the sales tax rate. They remained divided over the matter.

Noda fails to persuade Ozawa to back sales tax hike

Noda fails to persuade Ozawa to back sales tax hike

TOKYO, Japan - Former ruling Democratic Party of Japan leader Ichiro Ozawa answers reporters' questions at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on May 30, 2012 after meeting with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. In the meeting, Noda attempted to persuade the DPJ powerbroker to drop his opposition to the government's policy goal of raising the sales tax rate, but they remained divided over the matter.

Ozawa arrives at court

Ozawa arrives at court

TOKYO, Japan - A car carrying Ichiro Ozawa, former leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, arrives at the Tokyo District Court on the morning of March 9, 2012. Lawyers acting as prosecutors in the 69-year-old politician's trial are set to unveil later in the day their recommended punishment for the powerbroker, who has been charged with allegedly filing false political funds reports.

Powerbroker Ozawa meets Chicago students

Powerbroker Ozawa meets Chicago students

TOKYO, Japan - Ichiro Ozawa, a hard-to-please Japanese powerbroker, shakes hands with one of the students from Chicago during an exchange event in the parliamentary building in Tokyo on Dec. 3, 2009. The secretary general of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan told the children ''to make many friends in Japan and understand its society and culture.''

Powerbroker Ozawa meets Chicago students

Powerbroker Ozawa meets Chicago students

TOKYO, Japan - Ichiro Ozawa, a hard-to-please Japanese powerbroker, shakes hands with one of the students from Chicago during an exchange event in the parliamentary building in Tokyo on Dec. 3, 2009. The secretary general of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan told the children ''to make many friends in Japan and understand its society and culture.'' (Kyodo)