For the last two days, some people in the country were trying to create an impression that parliament was being misused for my benefit.

For the last two days, some people have been trying to create an atmosphere as if the Government and Parliament are being used to favor me. This has hurt me very much.

I am resigning my post in the parliament. I have done this because I think it is the right thing to do.

In ignoring the upper house and trying to gain power beyond parliament by a direct pitch to the people, Koizumi could be a dictator.

It was through the private world of family that the public world of politics came alive for me: living in intimate proximity with people for whom larger questions of ideology and belief, as well as issues relating to politics and governance, were vivid daily realities.

I call on all the parties in parliament and outside to reconcile and take the country out of the crisis.