Japan Communist Party chief Fuwa resigns
The leader of the Japan Communist Party announced Saturday he was leaving the top party post to make way for the younger generation after steering the nation's oldest political party for more than 30 years. Tetsuzo Fuwa, 75, announced the decision as the opposition party wrapped up its four-day national convention. "I have served the leadership in the party for nearly 36 years. But now I'm getting old and I have health concerns. ... It is not rational for me to remain party chairman with the ultimate responsibility," he told the convention, held in Atami, west of Tokyo.