Japanese PM quits

Naoto Kan

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan yesterday stepped down as president of the ruling party, paving the way for the selection of the disaster-hit nation's sixth new premier in five years.
Kan's resignation comes after nearly 15 turbulent months in power during which his response to the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear plant accident drew fierce criticism and sent his approval ratings plummeting.
"I propose to you that I resign as the leader of the Democratic Party of Japan today," Kan told party lawmakers yesterday.
"Once a new leader is elected, I will resign promptly as prime minister and my cabinet will resign."
A leadership election for a new party president, who would then become prime minister, is expected on Monday. Parliament will then vote the leader in as premier on Tuesday.
On his time leading Japan during its worst post-war crisis, Kan said: "I believe I did my best and did what I had to do in severe conditions."
After surviving a no-confidence vote in June, Kan said he would quit on condition that three key bills were passed -- a second budget, a budget financing bill and legislation promoting the use of renewable energy.
The budget for reconstruction in quake-hit areas was approved in July, while the final two bills were passed Friday, clearing the way for him to depart.
At least five candidates are jockeying to succeed Kan, including former foreign minister Seiji Maehara, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda and fiscal policy minister Banri Kaieda.
Maehara, 49, who stepped down as foreign minister in March over a donations row, could become the nation's youngest post-war prime minister. He is against raising taxes to ease Japan's fiscal woes.
Noda -- who recently courted controversy with statements supporting war criminals -- has softened his earlier stance on hiking taxes.
But standing between candidates such as Maehara and the premiership is party kingmaker Ichiro Ozawa, who controls the DPJ's biggest political faction.
Ozawa, a divisive figure who faces a criminal trial over a different donations scandal, leads up to 130 lawmakers out of the 398 who can vote on Kan's replacement.
He made waves yesterday by saying he would support economy minister Banri Kaeida as opposed to the perceived people's favourite Maehara, throwing the race to replace Kan into uncertainty.
During his tenure, 64-year-old Kan struggled amid low support ratings, a power struggle within the DPJ and a divided parliament.
He was accused of mishandling the response to the March quake and tsunami that left more than 20,000 dead or missing and sparked the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident that forced tens of thousands to evacuate.