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Hatoyama set to become Japanese PM

Last Updated: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 | 11:17 PM ET

CBC News

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and his cabinet stepped down Wednesday to pave the way for Yukio Hatoyama to take over the government.

Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan claimed 308 of the 480 seats in the lower chamber in last month's election, and he is expected to be selected as prime minister later in the day at a special session of parliament.

"I am excited by the prospect of changing history," he said Wednesday.

Hatoyama's victory ended almost 50 consecutive years of rule by the Liberal Democratic Party.

He has vowed to cut government waste and boost Japan's struggling economy.

However, he has few experienced politicians to pick for his cabinet. Almost half of his party's members in the lower house are in their first term.

With files from The Associated Press

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Japan to have coalition government

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