Japan's PM steps down

鸠山违背誓言引咎辞职

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Wednesday he was resigning over a US Marine base row, AP reported. Hatoyama made a campaign promise that the Futenma base would be moved off the island of Okinawa. But last week, he said he would move the base to a northern part of the island, infuriating residents who want it off Okinawa entirely. Hatoyama's support plunged below 20% after he was blamed for causing the Social Democratic Party to bolt from the ruling coalition due to the base policy. Hatoyama said his management body's alleged false reporting of his political fund has also tainted the image of DPJ, another factor in his decision to resign.

据美联社报道，日本首相鸠山由纪夫2日宣布，由于未处理好驻日美军普天间基地搬迁争执，将引咎辞职。鸠山在竞选首相时曾许诺，普天间基地将搬出冲绳岛，但上周却食言，准备将美基地迁到冲绳北部地区，该做法引起民众不满。此外，社民党也因普天间问题宣布退出联合政府，民众认为鸠山应对该事负责，导致其支持率跌破20%。鸠山在辞职声明中表示，他所领导的民主党陷入政治资金丑闻，是其辞职的另一个原因。

*以上新闻由ChinaDaily双语手机报提供