In the meantime, on 4 November 2007, leader of the main opposition party, Ichiro Ozawa announced his resignation from the post of party president, after controversy over an offer to the DPJ to join the ruling coalition in a grand coalition,[REF] but has since, with some embarrassment, rescinded his resignation.
Later, on 21 July 2009, Prime Minister Aso dissolved the House of Representatives and elections were held on 30 August [REF].