J apan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan leaves from the podium at a general meeting of his DPJ lawmakers in Tokyo
Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan leaves from the podium at a general meeting of his ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) lawmakers at the parliament building in Tokyo August 26, 2011. The race to pick Japan's sixth leader in five years was up in the air on Friday after media said ruling party powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa was unlikely to back former foreign minister Seiji Maehara, a security hawk who is popular with voters. Prime Minister Kan, under fire for his response to the massive March tsunami and the radiation crisis it triggered, confirmed his intention to step down, Kyodo news agency reported, clearing the way for the DPJ to pick a new leader Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced on Friday he's resigning after almost 15 months in office.

Kan's resignation comes amid tumbling approval ratings over his government's handling of the tsunami disaster and nuclear crisis.

Kan, 64, also stepped down as president of the Democratic Party of Japan.

As of today, I would like to step down as DPJ president . . . and once a new leader is chosen, I will immediately resign as prime minister, Kan told a party meeting Friday afternoon, as reported by The Japan Times. There were difficult moments and some harsh opinions, but I am truly grateful for everyone's support.

Kan, said he did all he could given difficulties he faced.

Kan became prime minister in June 2010 after his predecessor, Yukio Hatoyama, resigned after failing to live up to his promise to relocate a U.S. base outside Okinawa and amid a political funds scandal, according to the Japan paper.

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