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December 27, 2009

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Support dwindles for Japan's Hatoyama

SUPPORT for Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's cabinet fell sharply over the past month as the public remained unconvinced of his explanation about a funding scandal, Kyodo news agency said yesterday.

A Kyodo News nationwide survey conducted by phone over the past couple of days showed the support rating fell 16.5 points to 47.2 percent from the previous poll done about a month ago, the news agency said.

The survey, the first on Hatoyama's government after Thursday's indictment of his two former close aides over false political funding records, showed the percentage who did not support Hatoyama rose 13 points to 38.1 percent.

The survey showed 76.1 percent of the respondents felt unconvinced of Hatoyama's explanation over the funding scandal, while 17.8 percent showed understanding.

But 64.3 percent said he should do his utmost to explain and be accountable, and stay in power while taking appropriate steps, far more than the 21.1 percent who said he should resign to take responsibility.

On Friday, Hatoyama repeated his determination to stay on the job.

After the indictment of the former aides on Thursday, Hatoyoama apologized but said he would not resign.

Japanese media, however, said Hatoyama - Japan's fourth prime minister in three years - might have to quit if voters reject his explanations.



 

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