Japan opposition to pass censure motion against PM

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TOKYO, June 5 (AFP): Japan's opposition plans to pass a censure motion against Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, dealing him a major embarrassment ahead of the Group of Eight summit, news reports said Thursday.

A censure motion is symbolic but has no legal force. Fukuda, despite low approval ratings, has already refused to call early elections even if there is a censure motion.

The Asahi Shimbun and other major media said that the upper house, which is controlled by the opposition, planned to pass a censure motion early next week.