Japan’s Aso steps down as head of ruling party

TOKYO (AP) - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso says he will quit
his position as head of the country’s ruling party.
Aso apologized Monday for his party’s major losses in national
elections. The vote saw the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lose
its majority in the powerful lower house of parliament.
The opposing Democratic Party of Japan claimed a majority of
seats, the first time in postwar history that a single opposition
party has gained a majority.
The party with a majority of seats in the lower house chooses
the prime minister.
Yukio Hatoyama, the head of the Democrats, is a near certainty
to become Japan’s next prime minister and replace Aso.

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