Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Resign
The media is reporting that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is going to will resign his post:
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has told executives of his ruling coalition he intends to resign, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Abe’s office could not immediately comment on the report.
On Sunday, Abe had indicated that he would step down if he failed to extend a Japanese naval mission supporting U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan, and opposition parties had been preparing to grill him on the topic in parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
Opposition parties can delay legislation after winning won control of parliament’s upper house in a July election
Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered a drubbing in the July election, and his support ratings have floundered amid a row over pensions and a series of financial scandals involving cabinet ministers.
Financial market players have been worried about the possibility of political instability and a policy vacuum.
The man who is most likely to take Abe’s place is manga-loving LDP secretary-general Taro Aso.
Update
A few reactions to the resignation….
- Politicians criticize Abe over abrupt resignation – Mainichi
- Abe’s resignation ・first thoughts – Observing Japan
- Prime Minister Abe Resigns – Trans-Pacific Radio
- Breaking news: Abe to resign – Ampontan
- The Long Sayonara – Richard Lloyd Parry
And the video of Abe’s resignation speech:
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Shocking to say the least. I didn’t think he would resign. Seems like a relief, but in reality the front runner for the job is now Taro Aso and he is hardly better than Abe. Out of the frying pan and into the inferno..
Very interesting turn of events. I think Abe’s heart was in the right place. But there was just too much happening that he couldn’t clear up. Wow…
Big news indeed…but only two comments so far
? I guess anime intro songs are more interesting to most. Can anyone recommend a good political discussion blog (ie. a Japanese themed Marmot’s)?
Unfortunatly, many foreigner’s interests in Japan are quite shallow. I know what you are thinking. I have yet to run across a blog or forum for that matter that was specifically centered around Japanese politics.. If you find out let me know.
It’s not specifically politics, but Mutantfrog has a pretty political, or at least serious, bent to it. Neomarxisme might also be worth a look.
What about Trans-pacific Radio?
Oh my god I would cry man tears if Rozen Aso became PM.