"As of today, I will resign as the Tokyo governor," he told reporters.

 

The 80-year-old, serving his fourth term as governor, is known for making provocative¹（挑拨的） comments.

 

The novelist-turned-politician, who began his current term as governor only last April, said he wants to return to national politics.

 

He said he would be founding a party with other right wing politicians to challenge the two dominant² parties in polls that must be called by the end of next year.

 

Mr Ishihara said he saw ''several contradictions, big contradictions'' in national politics.

 

"One contradiction, bigger than anything, is the Japanese constitution, which was imposed by the (post World War II US) occupying army, and is rendered in ugly Japanese," he said.

 

He is demanding the repeal³ of these pacifist clauses in Japan's constitution, which restricts the activities of the country's armed forces. 

 

The veteran politician is known for making controversial and nationalistic comments.

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