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Fresh Setback for Japan PM
Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori has received another blow ahead of Monday's no-confidence vote which threatens to split his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Two vice-ministers belonging to factions led by Mr Mori's leading challenger, Koichi Kato, have resigned.
Reports say they did so in order to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion.
Mr Kato, the leader of the LDP's second largest faction, has threatened to vote with the opposition unless the gaffe-prone Mr Mori quits.
But the prime minister said on Sunday there was no question of his resigning without a fight.
"It's obvious that I would not step down before the voting takes place in parliament," he told a fellow LDP politician.
Ruling LDP leaders met behind closed doors on Sunday, trying to reach a deal to stave off defeat by the rebels.
If Mr Mori loses the vote, he will have to step down or call a general election within 10 days.
Earlier on Sunday, the LDP Secretary-General, Hirmou Nonaka, said Mr Mori might stand down if the rebels dropped their threat to topple the government.
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