Japanese prime minister said to resign Monday

[panzerfaust]

Source: AP Wire / International Herald Tribune

TOKYO: National broadcaster NHK is reporting that Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will announce his resignation...

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/01/news/Japan-Politics.php

---

Is it LBN if it has not happened yet?

I am not sure. But it surely is fascinating that Fukuda apparently is (will be) stepping down so soon.

[panzerfaust]

1. NOW is LBN: He Did

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7591969.stm

Japan's PM Yasuo Fukuda resigns

Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has announced his resignation at a news conference at his official residence...

[Ghost Dog]

3. Yup. Japan PM Fukuda quits over parliament deadlock

TOKYO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Unpopular Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda resigned on Monday in an effort to break a political deadlock, becoming the second Japanese leader to resign abruptly in less than a year.

Fukuda, 72, has been struggling to cope with a divided parliament where opposition parties control the upper house and can delay legislation, while the world's No.2 economy slips towards a recession.

"If we are to prioritise the people's livelihoods, there cannot be a political vacuum from political bargaining, or a lapse in policies. We need a new team to carry out policies," Fukuda said.

"I thought it would be better for someone else to do the job than me."

...

The dollar rose above 108 yen <JPY=> and the euro back up toward 158 yen on the surprise news, which caught traders off guard in a thinner market than usual because of a U.S. holiday.

/... http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUST11139820080901

[UpInArms]

2. Japan Prime Minister Fukuda announces resignation

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid=%7B46D06F77%2DE966%2D4F1F%2D93BC%2DD3208F4026C8%7D&siteid=mktw

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced his resignation in a news conference Monday night, news reports said. The surprise move comes as Fukuda wrestles with low approval ratings and an economy that's seen on the verge of recession. Fukuda didn't say when the resignation would take effect, the Associated Press reported.

[psychopomp]

4. Olympic failure

There has been a recurring theme lately in Japan: going for the brass ring and flailing away as it slips out of reach. Japan could use a hero. But it's America's turn, now, for a once-in-a-lifetime politician.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. Japan does have a hero of sorts

Olympic swimmer Kitajima, who shined at Beijing and now has more golds than any other Japanese Olympic athlete.

But I doubt they'll ever have a political hero. Deru kugi ga utareru kara ne.

[amuse bouche]

5. I love Japan. Lived there for a couple years