Japan to have new premier in a week

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan told his cabinet Tuesday that he would step down once parliament passes two key bills this week and expected to see his successor in office by next week, national media reported. "I will quit after all three conditions [for my resignation] are in place," ministers quoted Kan as saying during an informal meeting, the Kyodo News agency reported. "I believe a new prime minister will be decided on August 30." The ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) said it would hold an internal election on August 29 to choose the next leader to succeed Kan, 64. The Diet was expected to elect the next premier Tuesday. The next DPJ leader would most likely take the post because the party holds the majority in Diet's powerful lower house.