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Japanese prime minister resigns Japanese prime minister resigns
(about 1 hour later)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced he is resigning as Japan's prime minister after a bruising election in July and poor poll ratings.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced he is resigning as Japan's prime minister after a bruising election in July and poor poll ratings.
Mr Abe had faced growing calls to go since his Liberal Democrats lost the upper house but had held out, insisting he wanted to push through reforms.Mr Abe had faced growing calls to go since his Liberal Democrats lost the upper house but had held out, insisting he wanted to push through reforms.
He went on TV to say Japan needed a new leader to "fight against terrorism".He went on TV to say Japan needed a new leader to "fight against terrorism".
His party is set to meet next week to pick a new PM and analysts say a fresh general election is unlikely.His party is set to meet next week to pick a new PM and analysts say a fresh general election is unlikely.
On Sunday, Mr Abe had staked his job on extending Japan's naval support for the US-led mission in Afghanistan beyond a current November deadline.On Sunday, Mr Abe had staked his job on extending Japan's naval support for the US-led mission in Afghanistan beyond a current November deadline.
Opposition parties had vowed to delay the measure and news of the resignation, coming just before a parliamentary debate, took some analysts by surprise.Opposition parties had vowed to delay the measure and news of the resignation, coming just before a parliamentary debate, took some analysts by surprise.
He was expecting people to rally around him... Most people just raised an eyebrow and told him to shut the door on his way out DaveOkinawa, Japan Send us your commentsHe was expecting people to rally around him... Most people just raised an eyebrow and told him to shut the door on his way out DaveOkinawa, Japan Send us your comments
Mr Abe, who is seen as a nationalist, took over as prime minister a year ago. At 52, he was Japan's youngest post-war head of government.Mr Abe, who is seen as a nationalist, took over as prime minister a year ago. At 52, he was Japan's youngest post-war head of government.
But his poll ratings plummeted amid a row over pensions and a series of financial scandals involving cabinet ministers.But his poll ratings plummeted amid a row over pensions and a series of financial scandals involving cabinet ministers.
The Liberal Democrats are due to meet on 19 September to choose a new leader who automatically becomes prime minister, according to Japanese TV.The Liberal Democrats are due to meet on 19 September to choose a new leader who automatically becomes prime minister, according to Japanese TV.
Their secretary-general, Taro Aso, a close Abe ally who is seen to share most of his hawkish views on security policy, is tipped by many for the post.Their secretary-general, Taro Aso, a close Abe ally who is seen to share most of his hawkish views on security policy, is tipped by many for the post.
Heavy blowHeavy blow
Mr Abe did not give a date for his departure from office but said he had instructed party leaders to search for a new premier.Mr Abe did not give a date for his departure from office but said he had instructed party leaders to search for a new premier.
ROAD TO RESIGNATION Sept 2006: Shinzo Abe is elected as PM, with long agenda of reformsEarly 2007: Series of scandals involving senior ministers July 2007: LDP loses control of Japan's upper house for the first time in its history.27 Aug: Abe reshuffles his Cabinet9 Sept: Abe stakes his job on extending Japan's support of US-led mission in Afghanistan12 Sept: Abe announces he is stepping downROAD TO RESIGNATION Sept 2006: Shinzo Abe is elected as PM, with long agenda of reformsEarly 2007: Series of scandals involving senior ministers July 2007: LDP loses control of Japan's upper house for the first time in its history.27 Aug: Abe reshuffles his Cabinet9 Sept: Abe stakes his job on extending Japan's support of US-led mission in Afghanistan12 Sept: Abe announces he is stepping down
"In the present situation it is difficult to push ahead with effective policies that win the support and trust of the public," he said."In the present situation it is difficult to push ahead with effective policies that win the support and trust of the public," he said.
"I have decided that we need a change in this situation.""I have decided that we need a change in this situation."
"The people need a leader whom they can support and trust," he added."The people need a leader whom they can support and trust," he added.
The resignation deals a heavy blow to the Liberal Democrats, Leo Lewis reports from Tokyo. Cabinet-level resignations and the disastrous defeat at the recent upper house elections left Mr Abe unable to gain momentum on any of his major policies.
Mr Abe was appointed by his immediate predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, but he failed to push ahead with the same reformist vigour. But despite his many problems, his resignation still deals a heavy blow to the Liberal Democrats.
Cabinet-level resignations and the disastrous defeat at the recent upper house elections left him unable to gain momentum on any of his major policies.
Many believe that that his anti-terror bill is now likely to fail to pass, Leo Lewis adds.
Surprise timingSurprise timing
Japanese shares closed slightly lower following the resignation.Japanese shares closed slightly lower following the resignation.
Japan's navy refuels US aircraft in the Indian OceanJapan's navy refuels US aircraft in the Indian Ocean
Mr Abe's announcement came as a surprise to some as he had been due to answer questions in parliament later on Wednesday over plans to extend the Japanese naval mission in support of US-led operations in Afghanistan.Mr Abe's announcement came as a surprise to some as he had been due to answer questions in parliament later on Wednesday over plans to extend the Japanese naval mission in support of US-led operations in Afghanistan.
Mizuho Fukushima, head of the opposition Social Democratic Party, condemned the timing as "irresponsible", adding that he should have left office after the July election defeat.Mizuho Fukushima, head of the opposition Social Democratic Party, condemned the timing as "irresponsible", adding that he should have left office after the July election defeat.
Koichi Haji, chief economist at NLI Research Institute, also said the move had come as "a huge surprise".Koichi Haji, chief economist at NLI Research Institute, also said the move had come as "a huge surprise".
"He said he would risk his job in passing the anti-terrorism law, so I don't know why he is resigning before making the effort," he said."He said he would risk his job in passing the anti-terrorism law, so I don't know why he is resigning before making the effort," he said.
Mr Haji suggested the resignation would have only limited impact on economic policy but he did expect stock prices to "get hit" because of the political uncertainty.Mr Haji suggested the resignation would have only limited impact on economic policy but he did expect stock prices to "get hit" because of the political uncertainty.