Japan

Japanese Prime Miniter Naoto Kan’s resignation is an option for winning opposition support for bills required to enact a budget for the country, according to Kozo Watanabe, senior adviser to the ruling Democratic Party of Japan. Watanabe said the party needs to prioritize the passage of the country’s budget and related bills over Kan, The New York Times reports. But the official added that as long as Kan wanted to stay on the job, it was the party members’ duty to “protect” him.

Kan is facing pressure from both within and outside the DJP to either resign or call a snap election that would break the political deadlock that is keeping the government from dealing with pressing problems, including the country’s massive debt, NYT says.