Japan to have new PM within month
Japan will to have a new Prime Minister replacing Yasuo Fukuda by the
end of the month, with reports saying the ruling party would vote on
September 20 or 22.
Fukuda, who is facing dwindling approval ratings, suddenly resigned
Monday and called a new election for President of his Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP), who would then become Prime Minister after endorsement by
Parliament.
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Yasuo Fukuda |
Former Foreign Minister Taro Aso, the LDP's secretary general, is
seen as a front-runner and signalled Tuesday that he planned to run.
Takashi Sasagawa, Chairman of the LDP's General Affairs Committee,
said the party would meet to formally set a date for the internal
leadership vote.
Jiji Press, quoting party sources, said the LDP was eying September
20 for the election, while Kyodo News said the vote could be on
September 22.
The timing would be aimed at overshadowing a similar leadership
contest by the main opposition Democratic Party, which is also pressing
for early general elections.
Democratic Party leader Ichiro Ozawa is expected to win another term
easily on September 21 after his party rivals backed out under pressure.
Tokyo, AFP |
