Japanese politics is in a bizarre state of limbo. Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on March 10 expressed his apparent intention to resign, when he said the governing Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election should be advanced from September, when they are originally scheduled. No date so far has been set for the voting -- the winner of which will be the next prime minister -- and no politicians have declared their candidacy in the election. The LDP's faction leaders are busy in backroom dealings.
LDP leaders told the unpopular Mori that he is likely to lose his job in the presidential election that is now expected to be held sometime next month. Mori, however, is loath to go. He met recently with U.S. President George W. Bush and plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon. Mori also says he is serious about dealing with the nation's economic crisis. But the lame-duck leader's enthusiasm has come too late.
No viable candidates have emerged to replace Mori, who is dubbed Japan's "worst postwar prime minister." Mori will stay in power until the LDP elects his successor.