Kan says to resign after postquake work basically settled
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Embattled Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Thursday he will step down after making some achievements in postquake recovery and settling down the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
Kan told a meeting of his ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) of his intention before a vote on a no-confidence motion against him at the lower house.
"Once the post-quake reconstruction efforts achieves some settlement, I will pass on my responsibility to younger generations," he said. "The nuclear crisis is ongoing, and I will make my utmost efforts to end the crisis and move forward with post-quake reconstruction works."
Japan's opposition parties submitted a no-confidence motion against Kan Wednesday. Some junior cabinet members from the DPJ resigned Wednesday so they could support the opposition move.
The house will debate the motion in a plenary session starting at 1:00 p.m. (0400 GMT), and the voting will start at 2:00 p.m. with results announced about one hour later, Japanese media said.
If the motion clears the Lower House, the cabinet must either resign or dissolve the chamber and hold a fresh election.
Even if the motion fails, Japan's ruling party is set to split, further thwarting efforts to implement policies in a divided parliament, including politically sensitive tax reforms which is key to revitalize the economy.
The DPJ and its coalition parties control the more powerful lower house. A total of 82 votes from the ruling camp on top of opposition votes would win the no-confidence motion in the 480- seat house. Dozens of lawmakers of the former DPJ kingpin Ichiro Ozawa, an archival of Kan, have vowed to vote in favor of the motion.
Kan became prime minister just about one year ago. He already is Japan's fifth leader in four years.
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