Opposition submits no-confidence motion
Three Japanese opposition parties have submitted a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. The motion is expected to be put to a vote in the full session of the Lower House of the Diet on Thursday.
The leader of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, Sadakazu Tanigaki, and New Komeito party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi agreed on Wednesday to jointly submit the motion.
They said Kan lacks the ability to lead rebuilding efforts following the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, and to end the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The Sunrise Party of Japan also joined in submitting the no-confidence motion, but the Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party declined to do so.
Former Democratic Party leaders Ichiro Ozawa and Yukio Hatoyama have indicated they would vote in favor of the motion. Their decisions are likely to split the main governing party.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 19:00 +0900 (JST)