Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan resigned on 26 August marking an end to the 15 month Tenure

Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan on 26 August 2011 announced his resignation after almost 15 months in office amid dipping approval ratings over his government's handling of the tsunami disaster and nuclear crisis. Kan steeped down as chief of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan that effectively ended his tenure as leader of the country.

Kan had in June 2011 promised to quit once lawmakers passed three key pieces of legislation. The final two bills cleared the parliament on 26 August 2011.

Kan had finally achieved a seat in the lower house in 1980 as a member of Socialist Democratic Federation after losing elections in 1976, 1979 general elections and 1977 Upper House election. He had gained national wide popularity in 1996 while serving as the Minister of Health and Welfare, admitting government's responsibility for the spread of HIV-tainted blood in 1980s and directly apologized to victims. On 6 January 2010, he was picked by Yukio Hatoyama to be the new Finance Minister, assuming the post in addition to deputy prime minister.