This is a story of yesterday:

The Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced his resignation after less than a year in office to his inability to rule by blocking opponent in the Senate, which opens a new period of political instability in Japan.

In a press conference late tonight, Fukuda, 72, whose mandate has been characterized by very low levels of popularity, said his resignation is best for Japan and his party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) , now designate their next president and next chief of the Japanese Government.

"This was the best time to avoid a political vacuum," said a crestfallen Fukuda, who chose this Sept. 1, the beginning of a new political course for its surprising announcement, a month after switching to most of his Government and days after to present a package of economic measures millionaire.

Fukuda is thus the fate of his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, who in late September 2007, resigned after less than a year at the helm of the executive, beset by the corruption of his ministers, the unit discharge of the LDP and its own ineffectiveness.

Abe and Fukuda also shared the fate of having been nominated by his party and not by the polls, because the last Japanese prime minister elected in a general election was Junichiro Koizumi in September 2005 and with a large majority.

Yasuo Fukuda, the son of former Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda (1976-78), has proven during its short tenure that despite his seniority in the complicated political scene Japanese entrenched factions and parties, has been unable to govern.

The Democratic Party (PD) of Ichiro Ozawa, former leader of the ruling party and main opposition leader today, has been responsible for putting it difficult since July won control of the Senate, where much has paralyzed all government initiative has come in order to forcing early elections.

Fukuda admitted that parliamentarians have caused problems "many headaches," and that the opposition has been "always against all my offers, especially in the more important bills."

"Measures are needed in a new political framework," Fukuda said tonight, who in his eleven months in office has seen the opposition rejected Japan's logistical support to the war against terrorism in the U.S. or the extension of gas tax which financed the construction of roads.

To this was added that his ratings were down 30 percent so that his resignation was somewhat expected, but the timing has surprised almost everyone.

Both opposition parties and prominent business leaders have described as "irresponsible," especially because the Diet (parliament) of Japan was planning a special session later this month.

The PD took the opportunity to ask again the call for early elections to the House of Representatives, which, unlike the Senate comfortably dominated government bloc with a majority of two thirds. The elections should in principle take place in September 2009.

(Via: Herald )

The last year at this same time and I announce the resignation of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and yesterday the resignation of Yasuo Fukuda, so that in the two years I've been in Japan a few days will be the fourth Prime Minister of Japan to see .