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The prime minister Yukio Hatoyama's approval ratings have plummeted as he backtracked on the vow to move Marine Air Station Futenma off the southern island, reinforcing his public image as an indecisive leader after only eight months in office....   >>>

The prime minister Yukio Hatoyama's approval ratings have plummeted as he backtracked on the vow to move Marine Air Station Futenma off the southern island, reinforcing his public image as an indecisive leader after only eight months in office.



Many analysts say he may well step down ahead of upper house elections, likely to be held in mid-July – or perhaps after the elections if his party, the Democratic Party of Japan, does poorly. If he does resign soon, he would be the fourth Japanese prime minister to do so in four years



[photo taken by Lawrence Jackson, US Department of State]