Cannot give up responsibility, want to stay to resolve nuclear crisis: Japan PM

Amid growing pressure to step down from his post, Japan prime minister Naoto Kan said on Tuesday he wants to continue with his post to resolve the nuclear crisis triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Reuters reported.

I cannot give up the responsibility to do what needs to be done now. I would like to resolve the nuclear crisis first, Kan told parliament committee.

Kan, who is likely to face a no-confidence motion in parliament, has been struggling to figure out how to pay for rebuilding the northeast region devastated by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Kan's departure could ease the path for a coalition with the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that would make it easier to pass legislation in a divided parliament. However, many think, Kan is too stubborn to quit, Reuters reported.