Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Japanese PM Backtracks From Hints He'll Quit

Abe ignores calls for resignation, says he'll stay to enact reforms

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 10, 2007 7:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – Shinzo Abe has backed off his threat to quit if Japan yanks aid to US-led troops in Afghanistan. Many clamored for the beleaguered PM to step down after his party’s defeat in July elections, and Abe hinted yesterday that he'd walk away—a possible indication that he was looking for a respectable out, the BBC reports.

“I decided to stay on out of my sheer belief that we must not stop this reform,” Abe told parliament today. He also reiterated support for the Afghanistan operation—which provides naval support only—saying it was Japan's obligation to the international community. Critics, however, say the mission violates the country's pacifist constitution.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows before delivering a keynote speech at the opening of  the 62-day extraordinary session at Parliament in Tokyo Monday, Sept. 10, 2007.  Abe tried to rally backing for Japan's support of coalition forces in Afghanistan, a day after he said he would resign if lawmakers...
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows before delivering a keynote speech at the opening of the 62-day extraordinary session at Parliament in Tokyo Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Abe tried to rally backing...   (Associated Press)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe leaves the upper house after Parliamentary session opened formally by the Emperor Akihito in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Japan was set to convene an extraordinary parliament session Monday, after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would resign if lawmakers do not extend a military...
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe leaves the upper house after Parliamentary session opened formally by the Emperor Akihito in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Japan was set to convene an extraordinary...   (Associated Press)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a keynote speech at the opening of  the 62-day extraordinary session at Parliament in Tokyo Monday, Sept. 10, 2007.  Abe tried to rally backing for Japan's support of coalition forces in Afghanistan, a day after he said he would resign if lawmakers do not...
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a keynote speech at the opening of the 62-day extraordinary session at Parliament in Tokyo Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Abe tried to rally backing for Japan's...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Japanese Party Scrambles to Keep Boss to Dodge Chaos

Gates Warns Japan Not to Back Out of Troop Deal

Japanese PM Hospitalized as Party Scrambles for Successor

Same Party, New Face: Aso Likely to Step in as Japanese PM

Japanese Prime Minister Resigns


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne