Japan opposition leader Ozawa taken ill,in hospital

TOKYO, Sep 25 (Reuters) Ichiro Ozawa, the newly reappointed head of Japan's largest opposition Democratic Party, has entered hospital for checks due to illness, party executive Naoto Kan said today.

Kan gave no details but said Ozawa, who has a heart condition, was expected to be hospitalised for a ''short time''.

Kyodo news agency said had a cold but no fever and was expected to be in hospital for two or three days.

Ozawa, 64, a one-time ruling party heavyweight who is one of Japan's best-known politicians, was elected party president in April and endorsed by a party convention that ended earlier today.

Ozawa has a reputation as a reformer but has been accused of autocratic tactics that have made him enemies inside the party.

He has said the party's top priority is to win an election for the upper house of parliament next summer after losing heavily in an election for the powerful lower house in September 2005.

REUTERS SP SND1300