27 August,2011 07:44 AM IST | | Agencies
Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced his resignation yesterday after 15 turbulent months in office during which the nation experienced its greatest postwar disaster and, because of it, he signaled Japan should shift away from nuclear power.
His resignation leaves Japan looking for its sixth leader in five years as it tries to rebuild from the massive earthquake and tsunami that caused widespread destruction earlier this year.
Kan said, "It was a difficult situation with many challenges, but taking that into consideration, I believe that I was able to do everything that I should have done."
The premier had made three conditions on offering his resignation, a bill to promote renewable energy, a bond insurance bill and a supplemental budget.
The Democrats will vote on Monday for a new leader, who will almost certainly become Japan's next prime minister.
