Yukio Hatoyama elected as Japan's PM, new cabinet formally launched

TOKYO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) President Yukio Hatoyama was elected as Japan's 93rd prime minister at a special Diet session Wednesday, succeeding Taro Aso of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Yukio Hatoyama, president of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), is greeted after he was elected as Japan's 93rd prime minister by the House of  Representatives in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Sept. 16, 2009. Following his election in the lower house, the House of Councillors also picked Hatoyama as the new premier. (Xinhua/Ren Zhenglai)

In the voting at the session, Hatoyama garnered 327 votes at the 480-seat lower house and 124 at the 242-seat upper house, winning elections in both chambers of the Diet.

The election of Hatoyama to the top government office came as widely expected as the DPJ-led tripartite coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People's New Party (PNP) commands majorities in both houses of the Diet.

At his first press conference as premier, Hatoyama vowed to abolish bureaucrat-led politics.

"Now is the time to practice politics that are not controlled by bureaucrats," said Hatoyama.

He also said he has no intention to promote foreign policies that would "exclude the United States."