The lower house of Japan's parliament elected Kan, of the democratic party of Japan, giving him 313 out of 480 votes.

In the upper house, Kan managed to win with 123 voted out of a possible 242 votes.

The former Deputy Prime Minister has promised a transparent government and improvement of policies on job creation.

Kan became popular while serving as health minister, after exposing a government cover-up of impure HIV blood products, that caused many hemophilia patients to contract the virus. 

Out going Prime Minister, Hatoyama, tendered his resignation on wednesday after coming under intense pressure for not honoring a pledge he made while campaigning last year.

His political portfolio was futher perforated by allegations of illegal campaign financing.