Japan’s Prime Minster, Yoshiro Mori, is not much longer for his post. The press have been speculating on the date that he will face a no-confidence vote (his second since he took office last April) and be asked to step down. Some members of his own party have recommended that he quit the post voluntarily.

Mori’s response? “It is a mandate from Heaven for me to make efforts day by day.”

Dangerous words in a country whose Emperor used to be a god. After WWII, state-sponsored religion was abolished, so lawmakers and leaders avoid mentioning it. But not Mori. Last year he called Japan a Divine Nation. The press is having a field day. Posted by kuri at March 02, 2001 07:16 AM