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TOKYO : Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has resigned.
He made the surprise announcement on Wednesday, just two weeks before he completes his first year in office.
His former foreign minister, Taro Aso, is considered a front-runner to replace him.
Mr Abe said: "I tendered my resignation as prime minister today. The outcome of the Upper House elections on 29th July was a harsh blow to the ruling party. I felt that I should stay on to continue with reform plans. I did my best right up till now."
Mr Abe's announcement was made at a hastily called news conference.
He hopes his resignation will make it easier for his successor to extend Japan's naval mission in support of US-led operations in Afghanistan.
Mr Abe added: "We should continue our mission to fight terrorism under a new prime minister. It's better that a new leader attends the next United Nations General Assembly in order to turn things around."
Mr Abe took office just a year ago, with a pledge to boost Japan's global security profile.
Many of his plans have, however, been shot down by the opposition, which now has a majority in the Upper House of parliament.
Mr Ichiro Ozawa, Democratic Party Leader, said: "Regarding the anti-terrorism legislation and Japan's peacekeeping mission in Iraq, we made it clear to the people that we oppose them. This stance was in our manifesto which clinched us the majority in the Upper House elections."
Public support for Mr Abe fell sharply after the government bungled the handling of public pension funds.
His popularity ratings plunged further after his first cabinet was hit by a series of scandals and gaffes.
Several ministers resigned, prompting him to reshuffle the cabinet.
But barely a week after the new team was formed, fresh scandals erupted which led to a key minister stepping down.
Most Japanese agree that Mr Abe should resign.
"I'm disappointed in him and the scandals involving his cabinet members. I had a feeling he would end up like this."
"I think he did his best but he succumbed to pressure from the people around him."
Aside from his political woes, some Japanese media reports have speculated that Mr Abe stepped down due to unspecified health reasons.
"The issue now is who the new prime minister will be, and whether Mr Abe's really helping the ruling party by stepping down. I suppose it was the right thing for him to do."
The ruling party is expected to name a successor next Wednesday. - CNA/de
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