Japanese prime minister steps down as head of ruling party after election loss

Japan’s Aso steps down as head of ruling party

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso says he will quit his position as head of the country’s ruling party.

Aso apologized Monday for his party’s major losses in national elections. The vote saw the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lose its majority in the powerful lower house of parliament.

The opposing Democratic Party of Japan claimed a majority of seats, the first time in postwar history that a single opposition party has gained a majority.

The party with a majority of seats in the lower house chooses the prime minister.

Yukio Hatoyama, the head of the Democrats, is a near certainty to become Japan’s next prime minister and replace Aso.