Japan's PM Kan confirms to quit

Former Japan PM, Mr Kan

Japan's PM Kan confirms to quit

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has resigned. Kan announced his resignation in Tokyo on Friday, bringing to an end a crisis-ridden tenure that lasted for fifteen months.

He had pledged in June to step down in the wake of the devastating tsunami that ravaged the country and triggered not only psychological but also economic distress.

His departure paves the way for the search for a successor who is expected to be able to bolster the nation and fast track reconstruction efforts after the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant disaster.

Kan was largely criticized for being unable to coordinate an effective government response to the tsunami and its consequences.

He told the nation in July that he favored the eventual shut down all of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors and was seriously criticized by lawmakers for making public his opinion without consulting others.

He left the stage on Friday, saying he felt he had done his best “under the circumstances” and expressed the hope that Japan could realize a future with less reliance on nuclear energy.

“Now I would like to see you choose someone respectable as the new prime minister”, Kan said.

Successor

His successor, to be decided by a ruling party election next Monday, will have a divided parliament, a fast reducing population, a huge debt, a strong yen, and potential energy shortages to contend with.

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) is scheduled to select its new president next Monday, with the winner ascending to the prime minister’s position.

Frontrunners

The leading candidates for the seat are former Foreign Affairs Minister, Seiji Maehara and Trade Minister Banri Kaieda. Kaieda as Trade Minister is responsible for the promotion of nuclear power.

Party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa is said to be behind Kaieda. Ozawa retains control of a faction of parliamentarians despite his suspension by the DPJ over his alleged role in a fundraising scandal.

Resignations

Japan has had five Prime Ministers since the departure in 2006 of the popular Junichiro Koizumi, all of them, except Naoto Kan, lasting no longer than one year in office.

Ekata/Iheanacho(with agency reports)