JAPANESE Prime Minister Naoto Kan has announced his resignation after parliament passed two key bills - ending a tumultuous year in power and setting the stage for the country's sixth leader in five years.
"I resign as the [party] president effective today," Kan told senior party officials, according to Jiji press.
"I will leave the post of prime minister once the new leader is decided," he added.
Kan was scheduled to hold a press conference later Friday, AFP reported.
The 64-year-old, struggling with low public support ratings, stated in early June he would hand over his job to the Democratic Party of Japan's next generation .... http://www.heraldsun.com
