Japanese PM Kan survives no-confidence vote

[News_Editor]

Japanese PM Kan survives no-confidence vote

2011-06-02 22:18:39 GMT+7 (ICT)

TOKYO (BNO NEWS) -- Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Thursday survived a no-confidence vote after abruptly announcing his intention to resign after the nuclear crisis and the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts are concluded.

According to the Japan Times, Kan won by a margin of 293-152 in the 480-seat Lower House. His sudden announcement changed the minds of many lawmakers who were in favor of the motion.

"I want the younger generation to take over my duties once the situation over this great earthquake reaches a certain point," said PM Kan before the no-confidence vote. "I would like to fulfill my duties along with all of you."

If the motion had been approved, Kan would have had no choice but to resign immediately or dissolve the Lower House and call for a snap election. In addition, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) would have been divided.

"We are in the face of a national crisis and we may trigger public criticism if the DPJ comes apart," former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said. "I would like to ask all of you to unite and act together."

The turning point came when DPJ former leader Ichiro Ozawa abstained from voting in the no-confidence motion and dozens of his supporters followed him. Ozawa, who has been in conflict with Kan, previously said he will support the motion.

In February, Ozawa's DPJ membership was suspended over a funds fraud scandal. PM Kan called on the veteran politician to leave the ruling party after his inctement in January.

Ozawa's supporters threatened to not to vote for key legislations needed to support the fiscal 2011 budget. Kan, who is also the DPJ president, warned on dissolving the Lower House and calling a snap election.

Tensions within the DPJ ranks diminished when Japan was struck with a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake and a tsunami on March 11. The disaster resulted in the death of at least 14,294 people.

In addition, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant sustained severe damages to its cooling systems in its three reactors, and radioactive elements leaked into the sea and were later found in water, air and food products in some parts of Japan.

Japan allocated a 4 trillion yen ($48.89 billion) emergency budget to finance the early phase of reconstruction efforts. In addition, the evacuation zone was expanded beyond the initial 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) radius surrounding the damaged plant.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-02