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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Japan PM in surprise resignation | Japan PM in surprise resignation |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has announced his resignation during a news conference at his official residence. | Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has announced his resignation during a news conference at his official residence. |
| The surprise announcement means the 72-year-old is resigning less than a year after he took office. | The surprise announcement means the 72-year-old is resigning less than a year after he took office. |
| His government has suffered chronic unpopularity. Lost pension records, a controversial healthcare scheme and a sliding economy have added to his woes. | His government has suffered chronic unpopularity. Lost pension records, a controversial healthcare scheme and a sliding economy have added to his woes. |
| Mr Fukuda has also been frustrated by the upper house of parliament, which is controlled by the opposition. | Mr Fukuda has also been frustrated by the upper house of parliament, which is controlled by the opposition. |
| "If we are to prioritise the people's livelihoods, there cannot be a political vacuum from political bargaining, or a lapse in policies," said Mr Fukuda. | "If we are to prioritise the people's livelihoods, there cannot be a political vacuum from political bargaining, or a lapse in policies," said Mr Fukuda. |
| He told the hastily convened news conference that a new team was needed to implement his party's policies. | He told the hastily convened news conference that a new team was needed to implement his party's policies. |
| Low ratings | Low ratings |
| Mr Fukuda did not say when his resignation would take effect, adding that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party would hold an internal election to choose his successor. | Mr Fukuda did not say when his resignation would take effect, adding that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party would hold an internal election to choose his successor. |
| "I believe there will be an election for the party leader," he said. "The leader will be appointed as the prime minister."Taro Aso is a former foreign minister and front-runner to succeed Mr Fukuda | "I believe there will be an election for the party leader," he said. "The leader will be appointed as the prime minister."Taro Aso is a former foreign minister and front-runner to succeed Mr Fukuda |
| Japan's next general election must be held no later than September 2009. | Japan's next general election must be held no later than September 2009. |
| Last month, Mr Fukuda instigated a major cabinet reshuffle in which one of his main political rivals, Taro Aso, assumed the key role of secretary general. | Last month, Mr Fukuda instigated a major cabinet reshuffle in which one of his main political rivals, Taro Aso, assumed the key role of secretary general. |
| The move was seen as a last-ditch attempt to shore up Mr Fukuda's government and boost its flagging popularity, but it failed to impact low cabinet approval ratings, which had been below 30% for several months. | The move was seen as a last-ditch attempt to shore up Mr Fukuda's government and boost its flagging popularity, but it failed to impact low cabinet approval ratings, which had been below 30% for several months. |
| Mr Aso, 67, went from being foreign minister to becoming party secretary general under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in August 2007. | Mr Aso, 67, went from being foreign minister to becoming party secretary general under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in August 2007. |
| However, following Mr Abe's resignation, he left the post and lost the LDP leadership contest to Mr Fukuda soon afterwards. | However, following Mr Abe's resignation, he left the post and lost the LDP leadership contest to Mr Fukuda soon afterwards. |
| Known for his conservative views, he has advocated a tough line towards North Korea and rejects changing the law to allow women to ascend the throne. | Known for his conservative views, he has advocated a tough line towards North Korea and rejects changing the law to allow women to ascend the throne. |
| He is also seen as a charismatic figure who is known to love Japanese manga cartoons. | He is also seen as a charismatic figure who is known to love Japanese manga cartoons. |