An influential Japanese leader is bashing Christianity.

Ichiro Ozawa is secretary general of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.  That party controls the Japanese House of Representatives, and won the prime minister position in September.

Before President Obama's recent visit to Japan, Ozawa called Christianity, "exclusive and self-righteous." He also said western civilization is "stuck in a dead end," because it's based on Christianity.

The Japan Times reports Ozawa also called Islam "exclusive," but said "Christianity is worse."