Japanese internal affairs and communications minister Kunio Hatoyama announced Friday his resignation over a row concerning the reappointment of the president of Japan Post Holdings Co.

After submitting a resignation letter to Prime Minister Taro Aso, Hatoyama told reporters he decided to resign because of his "political belief" and "history will prove he is right over the matter."

Hatoyama had insisted that Yoshifumi Nishikawa, president of Japan Post, should leave due to the company's recent controversial attempt to sell off the Kampo-no-yado nationwide resort inn network, though many in the ruling party have said Nishikawa should stay in his job, creating a dilemma for Aso in recent weeks.

Political critics said it would be an embarrassment for Aso to see the row developed to a degree that forced Hatoyama to resign, as observers and opposition would question if the prime minister lacks appropriate leadership.

Hatoyama is the third minister in Aso's government to resign and gave another blow to the unfavored Aso ahead of the general election this year.

In a Yomiuri newspaper poll on early this week, 39.1 percent of respondents said they would vote for the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, compared with 28.7 percent who preferred the Aso's Liberal Democratic Party.

Aso decided to have Tsutomu Sato, chief of the National Public Safety Commission, double as internal affairs minister, Kyodo News quoted sources close to the premier said.

Source: Xinhua