Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation Wednesday afternoon, two days after the opening of an extraordinary session of parliament and less than a month after his Cabinet reshuffle.

LAST STRAW

Plagued by a series of scandals involving his Cabinet ministers, Abe has been repeatedly urged to resign, especially after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) suffered a crushing defeat in July's upper house election.

The dim hope that the parliament would pass the extension of a law authorizing Japan to provide support for U.S.-led anti-terrorism operations seemed to be the last straw.

At a press conference held at his office, the prime minister said he quitted "to have the war against terror continued," because as long as he holds the post, opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leader Ichiro Ozawa would not agree to talk over the issue.

Japanese Prime Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 12, 2007. Abe offered his resignation on Sept. 12 at a press conference held at his office, less than a month after he reshuffled the Cabinet following a crushing defeat in parliamentary election.(Xinhua Photo)

"I must bring change to the current situation by stepping down, because unfortunately today a meeting with the opposition leader could not be realized," he said, adding that it would be better to have a new prime minister pursue the matter.

The special anti-terrorism law, first enacted in October 2001 and extended three times, expires on Nov. 1.

On Sunday, Abe hinted at resignation after a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Sydney, saying he would not "cling to his duties" as prime minister if he cannot have the parliament agree to the extension of the refueling mission by Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels in the Indian Ocean.

During a 62-day extraordinary Diet session which started Monday, the ruling bloc is expected to fight an uphill battle to have the law extended, as the DPJ now holds majority votes in the House of Councilors after the July election and has reiterated its opposition to the extension.

Abe, who took office last September, chose to flee from the battle because his administration has become increasingly unpopular with the people and the LDP lacks cohesion, analysts said.

ATTACKS FROM OPPOSITION

On Aug. 27, Abe reshuffled the Cabinet and replaced members with veteran politicians to regain public trust.

However, in less than a week, new farm minister Takehiko Endo resigned over a scandal involving a farmers' group led by him. Internal affairs minister Hiroya Masuda on Saturday admitted an error in his own political fund report.

In the first Cabinet formed by Abe, four ministers resigned and one committed suicide over money scandals and various gaffs.

Although it was expected, Abe's resignation surprised many politicians both in the ruling and opposition camps because of its timing.

Ozawa said he has never heard of a prime minister stepping down immediately after delivering a policy speech at the parliament.

DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama said Abe should have quit right after the failure in the election of the House of Councilors, adding that it was inappropriate for him to resign two days after he attended a key summit abroad.

Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii said an election for the House of Representatives should be held.

Abe's resignation, right after he made a policy speech, was irresponsible, he said.

Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima said it was "childish" if Abe decided to resign because Ozawa turned down his request to hold talks.

UNCERTAINTY TO DOMESTIC POLITICS

The extraordinary Diet session is the first meeting between the ruling bloc and opposition parties since the July election, with each side holding majority in one chamber of the parliament.

Abe's resignation at the opening of a major political wrestling not only puts the LDP at an disadvantage, but also inevitably brings uncertainty to Japan's domestic politics, analysts said.

The LDP could no longer force a bill through the parliament as it did when holding a majority in both houses.

The opposition can reject or revise a bill sponsored by the government and passed by the lower house, where a majority is held by the ruling party.

Even though the lower house can pass again and enact a bill rejected by the upper house, the LDP would be acting against more public criticism.

Ozawa said Wednesday afternoon that his party will continue its policy against the extension of the law and work toward an early dismissal of the lower house and general election.

On Sept. 19, the LDP is scheduled to hold an election to select a new party leader, who will also become the new prime minister.

It can be expected that Abe's successor would have to deal with the problems left by him: how to gather public confidence and have the extension of the law passed.

If the new leader cannot win the battle against the opposition, a reversal of the whole political landscape in Japan is also possible, analysts said.

Editor: Donald