Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama resigned Wednesday, nine months after bringing historic change to Japanese politics by ending more than five decades of almost uninterrupted Liberal Democratic Party rule.
In leading his Democratic Party of Japan to an overwhelming victory in the Aug. 30 Lower House election, Mr. Hatoyama had criticized the short political life spans of LDP prime ministers since 2006 for diminishing Japan's credibility in the international community. It is extremely regrettable that he himself had to step down after only a little more than eight months in power.
DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa also resigned from his post. It is hoped that a new DPJ leadership can break what looks like party stagnation and regain people's trust.