From the "Aso Tarō did not get the message...

...better make sure you do" department:

"Rather than friendship, let's think about the party. At any rate, let's think about winning elections." *

Former Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichirō to vising LDP Secretary-General Ibuki Bunmei, alluding to any plans Ibuki might have on following through with former LDP Secretary-General Aso Tarō's proposal to readmit postal exile Hiranuma Takeo without conditions.

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* "Rather than out of friendship's sake for the party's sake" (Yūjō yori tō no tame ni). Nihon Keizai Shimbun, September 27, 2007 morning edition.