Embattled Japanese Prime Minister Mr Yoshiro Mori today expressed his intention to resign, according to Japanese media reports.
Mr Mori, who made his intentions clear in a meeting with ruling party leaders, was expected to remain in office for another month or so.
Ruling Liberal Democratic Party officials have not yet decided on who would replace Mr Mori, who serves concurrently as party president and prime minister because of the party's dominant position in Parliament.
He was expected to stay in office until early April to give party cadres time to select a replacement and avoid confusion in a summit with President Bush.
It was unclear when he would publicly announce he is stepping down. Public broadcaster NHK and Kyodo News Agency reported that Mr Mori today told party officials he would resign, but did not provide other details.
AP