Kochi Gov. Daijiro Hashimoto said Thursday he would resign and call an election should the prefectural assembly pass a resolution urging him to step down.
Hashimoto, 57, has been criticized over financial irregularities tied to his first campaign to become governor in 1991.
It is not clear whether the resolution calling for his resignation, which is not legally binding, would be approved by the 41-member assembly when it is put to a vote on Friday.