NEW : 480 of the Japanese lawmakers on the list of those leaving say they are staying . The departing parliamentarians are led by the influential Ichiro Ozawa . If a vote of no confidence were to be called and Noda lost , he would have to step down or call a snap election . They say they are protesting the prime minister 's plan to double the sales tax . It leaves the government with Two out of 251 seats in the lower house .
NEW : 480 of the Japanese lawmakers on the list of those leaving say they are staying . The departing parliamentarians are led by the influential Ichiro Ozawa . They say they are protesting the prime minister 's plan to double the sales tax . It leaves the government with Two out of 251 seats in the lower house .