News In Brief

Tanaka apparently refuses to quit Japan's parliament

Former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, convicted recently in a bribery scandal, apparently refused to resign from parliament Friday, ignoring a plea from Prime Minister

Yasuhiro

Nakasone. After meeting with Mr. Nakasone, Mr. Tanaka issued a statement widely interpreted as meaning he would not give up the parliamentary seat he has held for 36 years.

Since Tanaka's conviction more than two weeks ago, Japan's opposition parties have boycotted parliament until Nakasone allows a motion to be introduced demanding Tanaka's removal. The situation is especially delicate for Nakasone, since he owes his position to Tanaka's patronage. Political analysts say Nakasone may be forced to dissolve parliament soon and call general elections.

For Nakasone, the parliamentary stalemate is also an embarrassment in view of visits due next month by President Reagan and West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.