Premium
This is an archive article published on June 2, 2010

Japanese PM Hatoyama quits before elections

Japanese PM Yukio Hatoyama resigned on Wednesday. He became the fourth Japanese leader to leave office in a year or less.

google-preferred-btn

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced on Wednesday that he and his powerful party DPJ,would resign after a slide in the polls threatened their chances in an election expected to take place next month. With this resignation,Hatoyama became the fourth Japanese leader to leave office in a year or less.

The demand for his resignation was raised in Hatoyama8217;s Democratic Party of Japan DPJ,to revive the party8217;s fortunes ahead of an election for the upper house of parliament expected on July 11. Hatoyama8217;s ratings slid on voter doubts about his leadership,while the old-style image of Ozawa,seen as pulling strings behind the scene,had also eroded public support.

With tears in his eyes,Hatoyama told party lawmakers that he and party secretary-general Ichiro Ozawa would resign. 8220;In order to revitalize our party,we need to bring back a thoroughly clean Democratic Party. I would like to ask your cooperation,8221; Hatoyama said.

Analysts have tipped outspoken Finance Minister Naoto Kan as the frontrunner to replace Hatoyama,who quits after just eight months on the job. A new leader will be chosen in a few days,a party official said.

Hatoyoma8217;s Democrats swept to power last August after a landslide election win for parliament8217;s powerful lower house,ousting the conservative Liberal Democratic Party LDP after more than 50 years of almost non-stop rule.

 

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Live Blog
PHOTOS
In pics: From concept supercars to electronic SUV's: Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was all about innovation
In Pics: From Concept Supercars to Electric SUVs – Innovation at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
Top Stories
CM Mamata Banerjee with a 'party file' outside Pratik Jain's house during the ED raid. (Express Photo)
After ED raids I-PAC office, Mamata says agency ‘trying to get party documents’
Trump
500% tariff threat looms over India as Trump ‘greenlights’ Russia sanctions bill
Toxic teaser: Yash's character Raya was revealed on his birthday
'Daddy's back': Yash's 2.5-minute Toxic teaser packs more action than an average potboiler; film to clash with Dhurandhar 2
Dhurandhar 2 will release on Eid 2026.
As Yash Raj Films lauds Aditya Dhar, what is the future of the Spy Universe in a post-Dhurandhar world?
With the help of information found inside the bag and assistance from locals, the driver successfully contacted the tourist
Kashmiri cab driver returns tourist's lost bag with cash and iPhone, video of emotional woman emerges: 'God will surely reward him'
Founder defends Zomato Deepinder Goyal
Ex-Zomato delivery partner, now startup CEO, backs Deepinder Goyal amid gig work debate: ‘Knew riders earning Rs 90,000 a month’
The government, AIFF and ISL football clubs have decided that the players would be ‘requested’ to agree to a salary cut. (Photo: Indian Football via X)
Indian football mess: Players anxious over salary cuts, ISL clubs say necessary for 'survival'
An abdomen injury has ruled Tilak Varma out of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand before the World Cup next month. (CREIMAS)
Tilak Varma suffers abdomen injury; could undergo surgery and miss New Zealand T20I series
Mustafizur Rahman. (AP Photo)
Shashi Tharoor writes: Banning Mustafizur Rahman from IPL makes no sense. Bangladesh isn't Pakistan
Gig workers
In the great gig work debate in India, why the framing of ‘flexibility’ runs into economic reality
dietary guideline
'America is sick': As new US dietary guidelines recommend less processed food, more protein, cooking with butter; cardiologist weighs in
Spotify is making music streaming more social with real-time listening updates.
Spotify’s new feature lets users see what their friends are listening to in real time
Advertisement
Must Read
Indian football mess: Players anxious over salary cuts, ISL clubs say necessary for 'survival'
The government, AIFF and ISL football clubs have decided that the players would be ‘requested’ to agree to a salary cut. (Photo: Indian Football via X)
Tilak Varma suffers abdomen injury; could undergo surgery and miss New Zealand T20I series
An abdomen injury has ruled Tilak Varma out of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand before the World Cup next month. (CREIMAS)
How Ayush Shetty fared against World No 1 Shi Yuqi; Lakshya Sen fritters a 20-16 lead to go down against Lee Cheuk Yiu
What Ayush perhaps lacked was in switching from defense to offense mid-rally, allowing Yuqi to dominate those positions. (BWF/Badminton Photo)
Spotify’s new feature lets users see what their friends are listening to in real time
Spotify is making music streaming more social with real-time listening updates.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health for personalised wellness support: What it means for users
ChatGPT Health in ChatGPT.
A full AI PC built into a keyboard: HP debuts EliteBoard G1a at CES 2026
Both the HP EliteBoard G1a Next Gen AI PC and the HP Series 7 Pro 4K Monitor are expected to be available on HP’s website in March, with pricing details to be announced closer to launch. (Image: HP)
'America is sick': As new US dietary guidelines recommend less processed food, more protein, cooking with butter; cardiologist weighs in
dietary guideline
Advertisement
Buzzing Now
Kashmiri cab driver returns tourist's lost bag with cash and iPhone, video of emotional woman emerges: 'God will surely reward him'
With the help of information found inside the bag and assistance from locals, the driver successfully contacted the tourist
Ex-Zomato delivery partner, now startup CEO, backs Deepinder Goyal amid gig work debate: ‘Knew riders earning Rs 90,000 a month’
Founder defends Zomato Deepinder Goyal
How a paid 'whiskey and cocaine' challenge killed a Spanish streamer on New Year's Eve
Sergio Jimenez had previously caught attention through appearances in videos by streamer Simon Perez
Rs 118 for 100 feet?: Man’s accidental Uber booking at a metro station sparks debate over cab pricing algorithms
The Uber driver quickly noticed the error and cancelled the ride, saving the passenger from wasting his time
YouTube channel mints $1 million with just one video in 9 years—of a fireplace burning for 10 hours
The YouTube channel boasts over 111,000 subscribers and more than 150 million views
Jan 08: Latest News
Advertisement