Japanese Prime Minister Kan Resigns

By Cindy Drukier
August 26, 2011

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has resigned. Kan, who has faced strong criticism for his handling of the nation’s triple crisis, made the announcement at a meeting of his party’s executive body on Friday.

At the beginning of June, Kan survived a no-confidence vote by offering to resign once the country had overcome its current crises tied to the March 11 earthquake, the accompanying tsunami, and the release of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant damaged by the tsunami.

Kan later clarified his resignation offer by saying he would stay until he saw the passage of three important pieces of legislation: a budget bill, a bill related to issuing government bonds, and a law promoting green energy. The last of the bills passed on Friday, triggering his announcement.

Kan’s replacement, who will be Japan’s sixth prime minister in only five years, will be chosen at a leadership vote by the ruling Democratic Party as early as Monday. Campaigning for the top job officially begins on Saturday, according to Mainichi Daily News.

Kan came to power in June 2010, facing a weakened Japanese economy. Even before the March 11 disaster, Kan was being challenged by a rebel group within his own party accusing him of weak leadership. Less than three weeks before the quake, the faction attempted unsuccessfully to stage a mutiny and split off from the main party.

Source: The Epoch Times.
Link: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/japanese-prime-minister-kan-resigns-60822.html.