The vote by the lower house of the parliament was nearly assured.
Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won a landslide election last month, and controls 308 of the lower chamber's 480 seating.
Earlier, conquered prime minister Taro Aso and his cabinet resigned.
Aso's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had governed the country for nearly half a century.
Handed a sweeping permission for change, Hatoyama begins the formidable task of delivering on a laundry list of promises planned to lift the country after its worst recession since World War II.
useful links: transport rankings
Hatoyama's Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) won a landslide election last month, and controls 308 of the lower chamber's 480 seating.
Earlier, conquered prime minister Taro Aso and his cabinet resigned.
Aso's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) had governed the country for nearly half a century.
Handed a sweeping permission for change, Hatoyama begins the formidable task of delivering on a laundry list of promises planned to lift the country after its worst recession since World War II.
useful links: transport rankings