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PM Aso's cabinet resigns en masse for gov't change

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-16 10:37

TOKYO: Prime Minister Taro Aso and 17 other Cabinet ministers resigned en masse Wednesday, paving the way for the launch of a new coalition government scheduled later in the day.

Outgoing Prime Minister Taro Aso (Front) arrives at his official residence in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Sept. 16, 2009.[Xinhua]

As the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) secured a landslide victory in the Aug. 30 lower house election, the DPJ-led coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and People's New Party (PNP) is set to assume the reins of government.

Related readings:  Top officials of Japan's LDP to resign  Japan opposition accuses LDP of 'negative campaign'  Crushing defeat for Aso's party  Japan PM Aso to quit after opposition landslide

At the special Diet session to be held later in the day, DPJ President Yukio Hatoyama will be voted in as the new prime minister. And he is expected to launch the tripartite cabinet shortly after he assumes the premiership.

Aso, who also resigned as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Wednesday, launched his Cabinet on Sept. 24, 2008, following the abrupt resignation of his predecessor Yasuo Fukuda. His administration lasted almost a year.