LDP needs Soka Gakkai vote more than ever

Now that Prime Minister Taro Aso has announced a date for the general election — August 30 — the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will be leaning more than ever on its coalition partner New Komeito to get out the Soka Gakkai vote. The Buddhist lay organization is known for its extensive and powerful get-out-the-vote machine, but will it be enough? Others within the LDP are pushing for Aso to step aside and let a fresh face run as head of the party. Takehiko Kambayashi filed this report about the coming election in the Christian Science Monitor.