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Discuss: Japanese Prime Minister Resigns

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Japanese Prime Minister and ruling Democratic Party Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama in Toyko on June 2, 2010 to announce his resignation. (YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)
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Japanese Prime Minister and ruling Democratic Party Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama in Toyko on June 2, 2010 to announce his resignation. (YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)

The resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama last week, makes him the fifth leader to leave office in the last four years.

Japan's centre-left Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama resigned less than nine months after taking power following a landslide election win.

The new prime minister, Naoto Kan, hasn't spoken out much but the political turmoil raises questions about Japan's future both economically and politically. The question remains whether Asia's former economic powerhouse can regain its way.

Join the discussion below: What do you think it will take for Japan to get back on top? What do you see as the crucial next steps for Japan's new Prime Minister?


Michael Kulma | 06:03:10 04:10pm
Moving onto their fifth prime minister in the last four years, Japan must first get its political house in order, as it thinks how to get back on top. While thinking about crucial next steps is important, equally important is who will be the next prime minister and how he/she can move the country forward. Whoever next takes that role will need to tap into the public's call for change, which swept Mr. Hatoyama into power last year. Following through on the call for change will be the greatest challenge.

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