Across Asia: Japan

Senior official quits LDP

A former Cabinet member quit Japan's ruling party yesterday in a rare defection that reflects growing dissent in its ranks as public support for Prime Minister Taro Aso continues to plummet.

Lawmaker Yoshimi Watanabe said he left the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) because its policies were increasingly aimed at maintaining the status quo, not at solving problems. Watanabe is seen by many as a barometer of discontent in the ruling party.