Naoto Kan, Japan’s embattled prime minister, has made clear he does not plan to step down before winning Diet approval for a special disaster budget, a law promoting renewable energy and a deficit financing bill.
Mr Kan set the first clear conditions for his departure as he unveiled a mini-cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening efforts to cope with the huge tsunami that hit north-east Japan on March 11 and the resulting crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The prime minister earlier this month survived a revolt from within his ruling Democratic party by promising to pass responsibility to a “younger generation” when a “certain prospect” of success in dealing with the disaster and nuclear crisis.