Japanese ex-PM to quit Dec lower house election
Updated: 2012-11-21 14:36
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
TOKYO - Japanese former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama decided to give up running the House of Representatives election in December and to retire from politics Wednesday, according to local media.
Local media reported that the 65-year-old Hatoyama met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Wednesday and conveyed his decision.
Hatoyama told reporters earlier the main reason of quitting the election is Noda required DPJ candidates to support the planned consumption tax hike and Japan's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks.
Hatoyama, served as Prime Minister from September 2009 to June 2010, was the first prime minister from current ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).
Hatoyama is also one of the founders of the DPJ, voted against on the tax-hiking bill and was punished with a three-month party membership suspension in the summer.
- Relief reaches isolated village
- Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
- Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
- Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
- Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
- Earth Day marked around the world
- Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
- Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |