Tokyo governor resigns to form new national political partyOctober 25, 2012 - 16:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Tokyo's governor Shintaro Ishihara is resigning to form a new national political party, ahead of expected general elections in Japan, according to BBC News. "As of today, I will resign as the Tokyo governor," he told reporters. The 80-year-old, serving his fourth term as governor, is known for making provocative comments. Earlier this year, he sparked off a row when he said he would use public money to buy a group of islands at the centre of a dispute between China and Japan. The novelist-turned-politician, who began his current term as governor only last April, said he wants to return to national politics. He said he would be founding a party with other right-wing politicians to challenge the two dominant parties in polls that must be called by the end of next year. He blamed Japan's current economic and political problems on the government and compared the administration to the rule of the shogun, referring to the hereditary commanders-in-chief in feudal Japan. "We must change the inflexible rule of the central government bureaucrats," Ishihara said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |