The prime minister's intra-party rivals, led by Sadao Yamahana, a former Socialist chairman, announced they would push ahead with plans to split off and form their own party.
Yamahana said as many as 30 legislators might join him, enough to cause trouble for Murayama's fragile coalition uniting Socialists and the conservative Liberal Democrats.
Murayama hopes his visit to the United States will focus on reaffirming close U.S.-Japan ties in the 50th year since World War II.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.