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Japanese prime minister resigns Japanese prime minister resigns
(10 minutes 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 national TV to say he was leaving because Japan needed a "new leader to fight against terrorism".He went on national TV to say he was leaving because Japan needed a "new leader to fight against terrorism".
"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.
On Sunday, Mr Abe had staked his job on extending Japan's 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 support for the US-led mission in Afghanistan beyond a current November deadline.
However, opposition parties had vowed to delay the measure.However, opposition parties had vowed to delay the measure.
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.
Heavy blowHeavy blow
Mr Abe did not give a date for his departure from office.Mr Abe did not give a date for his departure from office.
"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 resignation deals a heavy blow to the Liberal Democrats, the BBC's Leo Lewis reports from Tokyo. The resignation deals a heavy blow to the Liberal Democrats, Leo Lewis reports from Tokyo.
Mr Abe was appointed by his immediate predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, but he failed to push ahead with the same reformist vigour.Mr Abe was appointed by his immediate predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, but he failed to push ahead with the same reformist vigour.
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.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, our correspondent adds. Many believe that that his anti-terror bill is now likely to fail to pass, Leo Lewis adds.