While Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda's resignation came as a surprise to many, Nagata-cho watchers described it as damage control in the leadup to the House of Councilors election in July.

Political commentator Kenzo Uchida said the move was part of the usual power games played out before an election.

"On the one hand, it's only natural that Fukuda should resign" due to his poor handling of the pension fiasco, Uchida said.