Tokyo — Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, beset by scandals and a stumbling Japanese economy, survived a second no-confidence motion Monday, but faced persistent calls to resign even in his own party.
The lower house of Parliament voted 274-192 to defeat the no-confidence motion submitted by four opposition parties. Mori, whose Liberal Democrats hold a majority in the chamber, defeated a similar measure in November.
"Doesn't that mean that the Cabinet is trusted?" Mori said. "Doesn't that mean that I must continue working responsibly?"
Not according to opposition leaders and even some members of his own coalition.
"Public outcry will probably heighten further with the defeat of the no-confidence motion," former Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Taku Yamasaki said. "I will demand that Mori submit his resignation at the earliest possible time."
Editorials in Japanese newspapers today were also harsh on Mori and his reaction to the vote's result as a sign of confidence in his leadership.
"The prime minister really must get a grip on reality," said the Yomiuri, the country's largest mass-circulation daily.
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