Resignation

Swashbuckling Premier General Senjuro Hayashi, head of Japan's "gold braid" Cabinet of generals and admirals, summarily dissolved the Diet two months ago because the Diet's Minseito (majority) & Seijukai (minority) parties truculently refused to pass one of his pet measures.

New elections were held. To the chagrin and amazement of Hayashi and his gold braids more than 400 of the 466 Diet seats went to avowed opposition parties. The bellicose Premier, ignoring Japan's voters, remained in office (TIME, May 10). But he had reckoned without the political parties who, after much Japanese skirmishing, got round this week to passing a motion of no-confidence in the Hayashi Government. This finally convinced the Premier that he was unpopular. He called a final Cabinet meeting; sadly proceeded with his ministers to Emperor Hirohito, resigned.

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