Japan's opposition leader blasts ruling party

The head of Japan's main opposition party blasted the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday, saying it lacks principles and vision, and demanded quick parliamentary elections.

Ichiro Ozawa, leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, said in a speech before parliament that the resignations of two prime ministers in a row showed the ruling LDP was unfit to lead the country. The LDP has firm control of the lower house and so effectively picks the prime minister from its ranks.

"It's unbelievable that the LDP president holds the seat of prime minister again, after the two previous LDP chiefs threw their jobs away," Ozawa said.

Ozawa addressed parliament in what was slated to be a question-and-answer session with the ruling party, but instead launched a broadside against the majority.

He said the dire state of the country's finances was a direct result of the LDP's misuse of public funds, and called for quick public parliamentary elections so that voters could have a voice in deciding what measures Japan takes for the global economic crisis.

Prime Minister Taro Aso, in a short rebuttal, said he would not be pressured into quick elections. "I will make that decision," he said.

Ozawa has long been a nemesis of the Liberal Democrats and has grown bolder as a number of polls show tepid support for Aso's administration in its early days. Aso officially became prime minister last week, and newspaper polls show less than half of the voters support him.

Aso has the power to decide when to dissolve the lower house of parliament and hold general elections. Elections must be held by next September, but pressure is rising for Aso to call them sooner to prove he and his party have a public mandate.

The timing is crucial, as a poor showing could break the LDP's grip on power and force him from his position as prime minister. Japanese media have speculated that Aso would call a vote as early as next month, but he has recently backed off, saying he would like to pass key legislation in parliament first.