Japanese govt faces no confidence motion

Japan’s minority party submitted a no-confidence measure against the new prime minister’s government in the lower house of parliament.

The measure submitted today is almost certain to be defeated by the ruling party, which has a majority in the lower house.

It is a largely symbolic measure ahead of upcoming national elections expected to be held next month.

The ruling Democrats came to power last year and had seen their popularity plunge in recent months.

But recent newspaper polls showed a surge in voter support since the party selected Naoto Kan to lead the country last week, replacing former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.