Charmine Koda resigned from her post as director of the Tokyo-based U.N. Information Center effective June 2, it has been learned.

The 52-year-old former news anchor, appointed in April 2006, claimed she was pressured to resign. She said she had reached the end of her contract without being offered a new one by the United Nations.

The United Nations said it notified her that her contract would be extended by one year, but renewal procedures were delayed. It said that the decision to resign was Koda's.

She had complained of being bullied by headquarters officials, including her supervisor. Some U.N. staffers questioned her administrative ability, according to sources.

BYLINE: Yomiuri