Japan could hold a general election if Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama steps down ahead of an election for the less powerful upper house of parliament this year, Jiji quoted a cabinet minister as saying on Friday, according to Reuters. The remark was made by the national strategy minister, Yoshito Sengoku. Hatoyama is under pressure over perceived mishandling of a row with Washington over a U.S. military base, and some say he will have to resign if he fails to resolve the problem by the end of May as he has promised.
