In Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan has refused to step down in the face of a no-confidence motion in parliament this week. He says he wants to resolve Japan's massive nuclear crisis.
Japan's main opposition, the Liberal Democratic Party and its ally, the New Komeito Party are set to submit a no-confidence vote to parliament against Kan's cabinet.
By presenting the motion, the two opposition parties intend to show their displeasure over the government's handling of the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.
Hidenao Nakagawa, Liberal Democratic Party, said, "The government has failed to provide enough assurance to the public and people affected by the disaster. The Prime Minister must step down. If he refuses, we will submit a no-confidence vote to parliament and demand his resignation."
In the face of the accusation, Prime Minister Naoto Kan has emphasized his refusal to step down.
Kan said, "I cannot give up the responsibility to do what needs to be done now. I would like to resolve the nuclear crisis first."
A new survey shows more than seventy percent of Japanese voters are not satisfied with the government's handling of the Fukushima nuclear crisis. But, still half of the voters believe Kan should remain in his position until the crippled power plant stabilizes.
Analysts say Kan would probably survive the vote, but he would still face big hurdles pushing policies through a divided parliament, including an extra budget to help pay for the recovery from damage caused by the twin disasters that crippled the Fukushima nuclear plant and devastated northeast Japan.