"I understand he does not want to make this an issue. But he himself made this an issue," said Okada, who has pledged not to go to the Yasukuni shrine if he becomes premier.
The Yomiuri Shimbun said Koizumi's call for a new election was "difficult to comprehend" with so much stacked against him.
"If those who do not obtain LDP tickets choose to launch a new party, the conservative camp will be divided into two groups. If this happens, the LDP -- which is to mark its 50th anniversary in November -- will encounter the worst moment since its foundation," the Yomiuri said.
also see story:
Koizumi betting his party on vote for reform, but no one cares
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