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Speculation Mounts Over Mori's Future
The future of Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori has become the subject of intense debate with conflicting reports about the likelihood of him resigning as early as next week.
The mass-circulation Asahi Shimbun reported that Mori has told party leaders he will formally announce his resignation early next week and leave office next month after the 2001 budget clears Parliament.
The paper quoted party sources it did not identify.
But Mori denied that he had decided to announce his intention to resign soon, saying it was his job to complete the current session of parliament.
Although he denied the reports, he acknowledged that his administration has many "issues" to deal with.
Mori is under heavy pressure to resign from within his ruling coalition to improve their chances in a key Upper House election in July.
Staying in office until next month would allow Mori to save face by holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 25, and possibly also meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush. Tokyo is reportedly hoping for such a meeting around March 19.
The Asahi Shimbun quoted one party official as saying Mori would make the announcement next Monday or Tuesday.
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