Japan's PM Resigns

(12 Aug 07 - RV ) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation today.
It came after a year in power dogged by scandals, an election defeat and a crisis over Japan's support for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.
Abe, reshuffled his cabinet only last month to rekindle public approval, but a poll this week showed support was stuck below 30 percent.
Staff writer at the Japan Times, Conoco Takahara spoke to us about the reaction to the announcement and his probable successor Taro Aso: