Sixteen dietmen supporting former party head Ichiro Ozawa announced on Feb. 17 that they would leave the DPJ and independent club in the House of Representatives.

They, in protest against the party leadership having suspended Ozawa from his party membership, are likely to vote against the government's 2011 budget bill and other bills related to the budget. They are also openly urging the prime minister to step down.

Japanese media are of the view that the government is at the crucial moment with attempts to topple the cabinet beginning to emerge within the ruling party.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has refused to step down and threatened to dissolve the House of Representatives, rendering the political situation of Japan more instable.