Even critics of Soka Gakkai are seeking support in the election.

The Liberal Democratic Party, facing its ``biggest crisis ever,'' is begging
junior partner New Komeito and its Buddhist supporters for help to avoid
humiliation in the Upper House election Sunday.

Gone are the days when the ruling party could sit back and rely on the
popularity of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to get through an election.

Koizumi's support rates have plummeted, and opinion polls show that
opposition Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) is poised for an upset this
weekend.

The LDP is now turning to ruling coalition partner New Komeito, backed by
Soka Gakkai, the nation's largest lay Buddhist organization, and its
organized vote-gathering system.

``We have only the Soka Gakkai to rely on,'' an LDP member said. ``They can
get us votes in the end.''

Late Monday night, New Komeito Secretary-General Tetsuzo Fuyushiba received
a call on his cellphone from LDP Secretary-General Shinzo Abe, who reported
that the LDP was struggling in various parts of the country. Abe asked for
last-minute help in about 10 single-seat constituencies.

Fuyushiba reportedly replied: ``You people have to make an effort. You guys
have the power to do that. Then, we'll cooperate.''

Just before phoning Fuyushiba, Abe attended a campaign strategy meeting at
LDP headquarters in Tokyo.

Also present at the meeting were Mikio Aoki, secretary-general of the LDP's
Upper House caucus; Fumio Kyuma, acting party secretary-general; and
Koizumi.

Koizumi appeared stunned that his party's candidates in single-seat
districts were struggling against their opponents from Minshuto.

``Why is it such a close fight in such a district?'' he asked.

Aoki summed up the situation by saying, ``This the biggest crisis ever since
the LDP's foundation.''

The strategists concluded that a change in tactics was in order. They
decided to all but abandon LDP candidates with little chance of winning, and
instead put every effort behind LDP candidates facing stiff competition.

They also acknowledged that they need to enlist the help of Soka Gakkai,
which claims 8 million households as members.

The LDP set a goal of winning 51 seats on Sunday but said the minimum line
would be 44, the number the party won in the 1998 Upper House election.
Ryutaro Hashimoto was forced to step down as prime minister for that
disaster.

Now, some among the LDP leadership say Koizumi could stay in office if the
party wins between 45 and 49 seats. However, that would create a weak
administration.

Even LDP members who have never been on good terms with Soka Gakkai are
pleading for help from the group.

Takeo Hiranuma, former economy and industry minister, visited Soka Gakkai
headquarters in Tokyo's Shinanomachi in spring. He was accompanied by
Norifumi Kato, an LDP Upper House member now running for re-election in the
single-seat Okayama electoral district.

The LDP members expected a heated battle in Okayama, particularly with
Minshuto fielding high-profile veteran Satsuki Eda in the district.

Hiranuma, a Lower House member, had never asked Soka Gakkai for support. In
fact, he publicly criticized the organization about 10 years ago.

But seeking Soka Gakkai votes was the only way for Kato to stand a chance
against such a powerful opponent.

``I think New Komeito will back an LDP candidate since the LDP is a friend
of ours,'' Einosuke Akitani, chairman of Soga Gakkai, told Hiranuma.

So what does Soka Gakkai get out of this?

In exchange for supporting Kato, the LDP is handing over its closely guarded
list of 30,000 party supporters in the district plus their addresses and
phone numbers.

The fact that the LDP is ``leaking'' information about itself and its
supporters underscores how desperate the ruling party has become.(IHT/Asahi:
July 7,2004) (07/07)