Suzuki submits letter of resignation from DP

September 13, 2017

TOKYO- Yoshihiro Suzuki, a House of Representatives lawmaker of Japan's main opposition Democratic Party, handed a letter of resignation from the party to DP Secretary-General Atsushi Oshima on Wednesday.

"My political sense has diverged" from that of the party, Suzuki told reporters on his reasons for leaving the DP.

Oshima requested Suzuki to resign as a Lower House member, as he was given the seat in the latest election under the proportional representation system following his defeat in a contest in his single-member constituency.

Suzuki is a member of a group of lawmakers headed by former Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, who left the DP last month. Suzuki has indicated his wish to work with Hosono.

It will be the first time since the party's new leadership team led by President Seiji Maehara was launched last week for a DP member to leave due to dissatisfaction with party management. Jiji Press