PM to be censured today

Japan's main opposition party plans to submit a non-binding censure motion against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in parliament today in a bid to pile pressure on a leader whose public popularity has plunged.

The censure, likely to be adopted as opposition parties control the upper house, would be the first against a prime minister under a constitution drawn up over 60 years ago.

While embarrassing, it will not oblige him to resign or call an election.