Jiji Press TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s Tokyo chapter on Tuesday expelled seven Tokyo ward assembly members from the party for backing Yuriko Koike, instead of the party’s candidate, in the July gubernatorial election in the Japanese capital.

The decision came after the seven members did not meet the LDP chapter’s demand to submit a letter of explanation by Monday.

Earlier, the LDP chapter appeared ready to ease its punishment on the seven, as it hoped to avoid a feud with Koike, who won a landslide victory in the election, ahead of the Tokyo assembly election next summer.

In contrast to the tough punishment for the seven assembly members, Koike herself remains an LDP member, as does House of Representatives member Masaru Wakasa, who also supported her in the gubernatorial race.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hakubun Shimomura, head of the LDP chapter, said that the seven flatly turned down the chapter’s consideration for them.

Speech