To the surprise of the Japanese political community, Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita has resigned, claiming that he would rather leave office than permit the ongoing Recruit Scandal and investigation into political corruption, insider trading, and bribery.

"I would rather leave my post that let such rumors, accusations, and falsehoods taint the Prime Ministerial office," Takeshita was quoted as saying as he left the National Diet after announcing that he would leave the post of Prime Minister effective immediately, with his cabinet following him.

Takeshita will be replaced by Sosuke Uno, a career LDP politician of no particular note selected by his fellows in the party to bring some semblance of face back to the increasingly wounded party.

Both Takeshita and former PM Yasuhiro Nakasone are both scheduled to appear at a closed hearing alongside former Recruit President Hiromasa Ezoe, alongside several other members of the LDP accused of corruption for a possible plea bargain. Rumors have been circulating in the Japanese press that as many as 30 Diet representative (all LDP) have been implicated in the scandal. This news couldn't have come at a worse time for the party, as elections for the House of Councillors will be held in a month and current polls show, for the first time in the nation's history, the Liberal Democratic Party lagging against the opposition.