Prime Minister Resigns In Tokyo

Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama and his entire Cabinet resigned today, government ministers said. That paved the way for combative Trade Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto to take the top government job.

Murayama and his Cabinet were to remain in place as a caretaker government until a new one can be formed.

NHK public TV said the new prime minister, probably Hashimoto, would be elected soon at a special parliament session, and Kyodo News said that session would take place next Thursday.

Murayama had been prime minister since June 1994.