Japan saw the dawning of a new political era Wednesday as Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama became prime minister, ending five decades of almost unbroken rule by the conservative Liberal Democratic Party.

The nation's 93rd prime minister inaugurated his Cabinet, kicking off a tripartite coalition with the Social Democratic Party and Kokumin Shinto (People's New Party).

"Today is the beginning of a new turning point in history, a day to start a drastic change in the framework of politics and the government," Hatoyama said at a DPJ meeting. "Let's actively work together to make sure that future historians will say today was a wonderful day."