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Japan chooses upper house leader Japan chooses upper house leader
(about 1 hour later)
Japan's upper house of parliament has elected a member of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) as its president. Japan's upper house has elected a president from outside the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for the first time in more than 50 years.
Satsuki Eda won a unanimous vote, 10 days after the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)-led ruling coalition suffered a crushing defeat in upper house polls. Lawmakers voted unanimously for Satsuki Eda of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who becomes the first opposition politician to hold the post.
It is the first time the upper house has ever been led by a politician from an opposition party. The move follows the LDP's crushing defeat in July's upper house elections.
Since the polls, PM Shinzo Abe has resisted calls for his resignation. Its ruling coalition lost its majority, while the DPJ made huge gains and became the chamber's largest party.
Since the polls, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has faced calls for his resignation, but says he intends to remain in office.
He has, however, pledged a Cabinet reshuffle, which is expected to take place later this month.He has, however, pledged a Cabinet reshuffle, which is expected to take place later this month.
'New situation''New situation'
Mr Abe's coalition suffered a severe defeat in upper house polls The 66-year-old new president, Satsuki Eda, is a veteran DPJ lawmaker. He told the chamber that Japan's political landscape had altered.
In the elections on 29 July, the ruling coalition lost its upper house majority. The opposition DPJ made huge gains, becoming the largest party in the house for the first time in its history. I think voters' expectations for the upper house are now extremely high Satsuki Eda
Mr Eda, 66, is a veteran DPJ lawmaker. He told the chamber that Japan's political landscape had changed.
"The make-up of the upper house has drastically changed after the upper house elections and we are facing a political situation we have never faced before," he said."The make-up of the upper house has drastically changed after the upper house elections and we are facing a political situation we have never faced before," he said.
"I think voters' expectations for the upper house are now extremely high," he said. "I think voters' expectations for the upper house are now extremely high."
Some analysts have predicted political deadlock. The ruling coalition still controls the more powerful lower house, but the opposition could now block bills in the upper house. Some analysts believe the new situation could lead to political deadlock.
The ruling coalition still controls the more powerful lower house, but the opposition could now block bills in the upper house, forcing the spotlight on potentially controversial issues.
One such issue is that of Japanese maritime support for US-led forces in Afghanistan.
'International expectations'
Japanese naval vessels have been providing refuelling and other logistical support in the Indian Ocean.
Mr Abe says he needs the DPJ to work with him
The current mandate for the mission - which the DPJ opposes - is to expire on 1 November.
On Monday, speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Mr Abe acknowledged that he faced a problem.
"I will strive to pass the laws in order to meet the expectations of the international community and contribute to it," he said.
"I want to discuss this thoroughly with people of the Democratic Party and seek their cooperation," the embattled premier told journalists.
Recent polls have indicated further falls in support for Mr Abe, who took office in September 2006.
A survey conducted by the Mainichi newspaper on 4/5 August showed support for him at 22%, a new low.
He has been hit by a series of ministerial scandals and a pensions crisis, which have led voters to question his leadership skills.