Japan opposition co-leader vows to accept blame if party loses election

TOKYO - Tetsuo Saito, a co-leader of Japan's newly formed opposition Centrist Reform Alliance, said Wednesday he will take responsibility if the party loses seats in the upcoming House of Representatives election, with polls showing it has failed to gain momentum.

His remarks came after Yoshihiko Noda, the other co-leader of the alliance and a former prime minister, also indicated his intention to step down if its seat total declines following Sunday's general election.