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Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has told executives of his ruling coalition he intends to resign, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
A spokesman for the Abe's office could not immediately comment on the report.
On Sunday, Abe had indicated that he would step down if he failed to extend a Japanese naval mission supporting US-led operations in Afghanistan, and opposition parties had been preparing to grill him on the topic in parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
Opposition parties can delay legislation after winning won control of parliament's upper house in a July election
Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party suffered a drubbing in the July election, and his support ratings have floundered amid a row over pensions and a series of financial scandals involving cabinet ministers.
Financial market players have been worried about the possibility of political instability and a policy vacuum.
Abe, who took office a year ago vowing to boost Japan's global security profile, had already been weakened by scandals and gaffes by ministers that contributed to a drubbing for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the election and were expected to provide fodder for opposition grilling in parliament in the coming weeks.
Abe's ally Taro Aso, the hawkish secretary-general of the LDP, has been seen as the frontrunner to succeed if the premier quits.
- REUTERS
