Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced his resignation as president of the Democratic Party of Japan Friday, effectively ending his tenure as the nation's leader.

Mr. Kan has been under pressure to resign because of widespread dissatisfaction with his government's handling of the response to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

After surviving a no-confidence vote in June, Mr. Kan said he would quit if three key bills were passed — a second budget, a budget financing bill and legislation promoting the use of renewable energy. The final two bills passed Friday.

Mr. Kan is expected to officially step down from his party and government posts when the DPJ elects a new president on Monday. Lawmakers would then vote the leader in as prime minister, as early as Tuesday.

So far, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda has been considered the front-runner to become as Japan's sixth prime minister in five years.

Mr. Kan has been under pressure to resign because of widespread dissatisfaction with his government's handling of the response to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.