Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced his decision to resign at a general assembly of ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) lawmakers on June 2.
Hatoyama's resignation comes amid plunging public support for his Cabinet, which stood at over 70 percent immediately after the September 16 launch of the coalition government but has now fallen to below 20 percent, according to Kyodo News.
It also comes after the Social Democratic Party (SDP) left his ruling coalition on May 30 in opposing an accord with the United States announced two days earlier to relocate the Futenma air base within Okinawa Prefecture.
Slightly more than eight months ago, the DPJ formed a new government in partnership with the SDP and the People's New Party after its landslide victory in last summer's general election.
Hatoyama's departure also comes only weeks before a House of Councillors election that is widely expected to be held on July 11./.
Hatoyama's resignation comes amid plunging public support for his Cabinet, which stood at over 70 percent immediately after the September 16 launch of the coalition government but has now fallen to below 20 percent, according to Kyodo News.
It also comes after the Social Democratic Party (SDP) left his ruling coalition on May 30 in opposing an accord with the United States announced two days earlier to relocate the Futenma air base within Okinawa Prefecture.
Slightly more than eight months ago, the DPJ formed a new government in partnership with the SDP and the People's New Party after its landslide victory in last summer's general election.
Hatoyama's departure also comes only weeks before a House of Councillors election that is widely expected to be held on July 11./.
