World IN BRIEF : JAPAN : Scandal Topples Opposition Chief
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
The Socialist Party chairman resigned suddenly after drawing fire for his close friendship with a disgraced kingmaker in Japan’s governing party. Makoto Tanabe’s departure highlighted the backlash against the kind of back-room dealing symbolized by Tanabe’s ties with Shin Kanemaru of the ruling Liberal Democrats. Calls for Tanabe’s ouster mounted after Kanemaru resigned from Parliament in October for accepting illegal political donations.
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