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Japan's Premier Resigns Position After 11 Months
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda speaks at a press conference after his Cabinet reshuffle at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo Friday, August 1, 2008. National broadcaster NHK is reporting Monday September 1, 2008, that Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will announce his resignation. Fukuda has called an emergency news conference for later Monday evening, but his office has not announced the reason. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
(Itsuo Inouye - AP)
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"If we are to prioritize the people's livelihoods, there cannot be a political vacuum from political bargaining or a lapse in policies," he said in a statement that typified his bland speaking style.
As prime minister, Fukuda never managed to generate any real enthusiasm among the public. His party had hoped his leadership at Japan's summertime summit of the leaders of the Group of Eight major industrialized countries would help his approval ratings. But the numbers barely budged and have been under 30 percent for much of the year.
Fukuda may be bland and unpopular, but political analysts in Tokyo say he is also shrewd.
"I think this resignation was done with calculation," said analyst Minoru Morita. "He knows that if the LDP contested an election under the current circumstances, it would lose. Fukuda couldn't bear to let that happen under him, so he will resign, his cabinet will resign" and the LDP will conduct an open and well-publicized process among its members to select a new party leader.
Opposition leaders complained Monday that Fukuda should have called a general election, rather than step aside in a way that will allow yet another LDP politician to run the country. The ruling party has until fall of next year to call a general election.
Yamamoto reported from Tokyo.
