Japan's Kan resigns as party head

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced his resignation as head of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan on Friday, ending a tumultuous year in power and setting the stage for the country's sixth leader in five years.

Mr. Kan came to power last June amid high hopes that the former social activist would break the long stranglehold of backroom politics in Japan.

But his term in office was outlined by a series of unpopular moves, starting with his early pledge for a tax hike, and his support rating in polls fell steadily after his bungled handling of a diplomatic spat with China over territorial disputes in September.

Complaints about his handling of the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant crisis and an increasingly hostile opposition also dragged him lower in popularity and left him in the political wilderness, with even his party members calling for him to step down. From a 66% approval rating when he took office, he leaves with just 15% of the country in support.

"My resignation should not be taken to mean that I feel I have made mistakes for which I should take responsibility," Mr. Kan said in parliament earlier this week.

As many as seven candidates within the DPJ are expected to compete to succeed Mr. Kan. They are scheduled to hold a joint press conference Saturday and a debate Sunday, before the party votes on a new leader Monday. Parliament is expected to name the new party head as prime minister Tuesday.