Across Asia: Japan

More trouble for PM Aso

A former Japanese financial services minister threatened to quit the ruling party yesterday if his policy demands were not met, in the latest sign of Prime Minister Taro Aso's fraying leadership as he tries to revive the economy.

Aso is struggling to keep control of his long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of an election for parliament's powerful lower house that must be held this year. Despite having announced a record budget for the fiscal year starting in April and two other extra budgets for the current year, Aso has been criticized by the opposition and even by lawmakers within his party.