This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6921730.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Japanese PM 'will not stand down' | Japanese PM 'will not stand down' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reiterated his intention to remain in office, a day after suffering a crushing defeat in upper house polls. | Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reiterated his intention to remain in office, a day after suffering a crushing defeat in upper house polls. |
| Mr Abe told a news conference that he took the result "very seriously" and pledged a reshuffle of his Cabinet. | Mr Abe told a news conference that he took the result "very seriously" and pledged a reshuffle of his Cabinet. |
| But he said that it was his duty to continue as premier and push forward his reform agenda. | But he said that it was his duty to continue as premier and push forward his reform agenda. |
| Support for Mr Abe's government has plummeted in recent months following a series of gaffes and scandals. | Support for Mr Abe's government has plummeted in recent months following a series of gaffes and scandals. |
| "It was a severe result. We accept the people's judgement seriously and sincerely," Mr Abe said. | "It was a severe result. We accept the people's judgement seriously and sincerely," Mr Abe said. |
| "However, it is my responsibility to continue with my mission in building a new nation and pushing for reform." | "However, it is my responsibility to continue with my mission in building a new nation and pushing for reform." |
| He said a Cabinet reshuffle would take place after a special session of parliament. | He said a Cabinet reshuffle would take place after a special session of parliament. |
| "Voters said we must reflect on our shortcomings and refresh the line-up," Mr Abe said. "I plan to reshuffle the Cabinet and top party posts at an appropriate time." | "Voters said we must reflect on our shortcomings and refresh the line-up," Mr Abe said. "I plan to reshuffle the Cabinet and top party posts at an appropriate time." |
| Despite Mr Abe's determination to stay in his job, the deputy leader of the LDP, Hidenao Nakagawa, has decided to resign over Sunday's polls. | Despite Mr Abe's determination to stay in his job, the deputy leader of the LDP, Hidenao Nakagawa, has decided to resign over Sunday's polls. |
| 'Failing mark' | 'Failing mark' |
| Mr Abe achieved solid levels of popular support when he took office in September 2006. | Mr Abe achieved solid levels of popular support when he took office in September 2006. |
| Voters gave a clear failing mark... The prime minister should face the results seriously and step down Asahi newspaper class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6921756.stm">Tough road ahead for Abe | |
| But many voters began to question his leadership skills following a series of ministerial scandals and a crisis over lost pension records that affected millions of payments. | But many voters began to question his leadership skills following a series of ministerial scandals and a crisis over lost pension records that affected millions of payments. |
| In Sunday's polls, Mr Abe's Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition fell far short of the 64 seats it needed to retain its majority in the upper house. | In Sunday's polls, Mr Abe's Liberal Democratic Party-led ruling coalition fell far short of the 64 seats it needed to retain its majority in the upper house. |
| The opposition Democratic Party of Japan made huge gains, becoming the largest party in the upper house for the first time in history. | The opposition Democratic Party of Japan made huge gains, becoming the largest party in the upper house for the first time in history. |
| Final official results are expected later on Monday. | Final official results are expected later on Monday. |
| The ruling coalition still has a sizeable majority in the more powerful lower house, which chooses the prime minister. | The ruling coalition still has a sizeable majority in the more powerful lower house, which chooses the prime minister. |
| But an opposition-dominated upper house will mean that Mr Abe's administration may find it hard to pass the laws that it wants. | But an opposition-dominated upper house will mean that Mr Abe's administration may find it hard to pass the laws that it wants. |
| Several newspapers have called for Mr Abe to step down or call a snap election. | Several newspapers have called for Mr Abe to step down or call a snap election. |
| "Voters gave a clear failing mark," the Asahi newspaper said. "The prime minister should face the results seriously and step down." | "Voters gave a clear failing mark," the Asahi newspaper said. "The prime minister should face the results seriously and step down." |
| Mr Abe has been damaged by this heavy defeat, says the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo. | Mr Abe has been damaged by this heavy defeat, says the BBC's Chris Hogg in Tokyo. |
| In fact, commentators say, the only reason he has not been forced to step down is that no-one else in his party wants to take over after such a drubbing at the polls, our correspondent adds. | In fact, commentators say, the only reason he has not been forced to step down is that no-one else in his party wants to take over after such a drubbing at the polls, our correspondent adds. |