A new prime minister of Japan will take office later this month, following the election of a new Liberal Democratic Party president next Tuesday. It does not matter that Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori has not yet publicly announced his resignation. His exit has been a foregone conclusion for some time.
The Mori administration governed the nation during a brief but critical period in history, beginning in April 2000. But Mr. Mori's failure to present a credible blueprint for the future and revive an ailing economy disillusioned the people. This, coupled with a series of gaffes and scandals, has made him the most unpopular prime minister since the end of World War II.
Mr. Mori took office a year ago after his predecessor, Mr. Keizo Obuchi, suffered a stroke. But the clandestine manner in which he was chosen to succeed Mr. Obuchi -- the choice was made in backroom talks by a handful of LDP strongmen -- raised questions about the legitimacy of his Cabinet, although he was later formally elected prime minister by the Diet. The verbal blunders he committed, such as a remark describing Japan as a "nations of gods with the Emperor at the center," cast further doubt over his fitness to lead the nation.