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Hatoyama takes over as Japan PM Hatoyama takes over as Japan PM
(30 minutes later)
Japan's parliament has formally confirmed Yukio Hatoyama as the country's prime minister. Japan's parliament has elected Yukio Hatoyama prime minister, handing power to an untested government that faces tough economic and social challenges.
His Democratic Party of Japan won a huge poll victory last month, ending more than 50 years of almost unbroken rule by the Liberal Democratic Party.His Democratic Party of Japan won a huge poll victory last month, ending more than 50 years of almost unbroken rule by the Liberal Democratic Party.
Prime Minister Taro Aso and his entire cabinet resigned early on Wednesday to pave the way for Mr Hatoyama's centre-left government. Mr Hatoyama said he was excited by the prospect of changing history. "The battle starts now," he said.
"I am excited by the prospect of changing history," Mr Hatoyama said. The new prime minister's next step is to formally appoint his cabinet.
For his part, Mr Aso said: "I did my best for the sake of Japan, in a very short period... but unfortunately, I am stepping down halfway through."
Mr Hatoyama's next step is to formally appoint his new cabinet.
He has already named former DPJ leader Katsuya Okada as foreign minister, and local reports suggest Hirohisa Fujii has been given the finance portfolio.He has already named former DPJ leader Katsuya Okada as foreign minister, and local reports suggest Hirohisa Fujii has been given the finance portfolio.
Another former DPJ leader, Naoto Kan, is expected to head a new National Strategy Bureau set up to oversee the bureaucracy.Another former DPJ leader, Naoto Kan, is expected to head a new National Strategy Bureau set up to oversee the bureaucracy.
Limits reached The defeated LDP, meanwhile, will hold an election later this month to choose its new leader, after former Prime Minister Taro Aso stepped down.
Mr Hatoyama must tackle a rapidly ageing society and an economy still struggling after a brutal recession, the BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says. Domestic focus
The DPJ has entered into a coalition deal with two smaller parties, the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party, and controls both houses of parliament.
Will Japan's global ties change? Challenge ahead for HatoyamaWill Japan's global ties change? Challenge ahead for Hatoyama
He won the election by pledging to break the power of the old order's bureaucrats, big business and the LDP - which dominated since the end of the World War II, our correspondent says. Its priorities now include tackling a rapidly ageing society and an economy still struggling after a brutal recession.
The party says it will wrest control of policy-making decisions from bureaucrats and deliver more people-centric policies.
It has promised to increase social welfare spending, prioritising areas such as health and education. It has also promised climate cuts and a foreign policy that is less closely tied to the US.
The DPJ was elected as a wave of discontent with LDP rule swept across Japan.
Professor Phil Deans, from Temple University in Tokyo, said people had become tired of the old system.Professor Phil Deans, from Temple University in Tokyo, said people had become tired of the old system.
"It was extremely effective in developing Japan into a very rich, very important nation," he said, "but it had reached its limits.""It was extremely effective in developing Japan into a very rich, very important nation," he said, "but it had reached its limits."
"The trouble is now its time for reform, everyone agrees reform is good, but where does Japan go next? What is the next model?"
Mr Hatoyama's DPJ has promised to increase social security, but has so far given little idea of how it will be paid for.
There is also talk of a more assertive diplomacy towards the country's main ally, the United States.
Mr Aso's staff bade him farewell as he formally left office
Opinion polls have shown many people did not vote for the DPJ because of their policies - but because they wanted change.Opinion polls have shown many people did not vote for the DPJ because of their policies - but because they wanted change.
Japan's economy has been stumbling - the population is ageing and declining. Analysts say the electorate will be watching the DPJ closely to see if it can deliver.
Keisuke Kurihara is soon to graduate from the elite University of Tokyo. He already has a job lined up as a diplomat but even he feels the need for a new direction. The BBC's Roland Buerk, in Tokyo, says that in defeating the LDP, Yukio Hatoyama has already achieved what many people thought for years was impossible.
"I'd like them to show us their vision of Japan as soon as possible," he said of the DPJ. But now the difficult part - governing Japan - begins, our correspondent says.
"We are faced with great problems, such as the world's fastest ageing society and piling national debts. These problems need to be addressed for decades to come."
In defeating the LDP, Yukio Hatoyama has already achieved what many people thought for years was impossible. But now the difficult part - governing Japan - begins, our correspondent says.