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Jun 4, 2010
Japan PM, cabinet resign



Mr Hatoyama formally resigned along with his cabinet Friday, two days after declaring he would step down, ahead of a vote for his successor as party chief and premier. -- PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO - JAPAN'S Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama formally resigned along with his cabinet Friday, two days after declaring he would step down, ahead of a vote for his successor as party chief and premier. Finance Minister Naoto Kan, a deputy premier, was seen as the front runner to take over as prime minister of the world's second-largest economy, despite a late challenge for the post.

If Friday's leadership vote follows expectations, Kan will take over from Mr Hatoyama, who resigned Wednesday in the wake of a funding scandal and a damaging dispute over a US air base. Mr Kan hopes to succeed Mr Hatoyama as president of the centre-left Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and then, after a parliamentary vote, as prime minister. -- AFP