This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6994283.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Japan's leadership race hots up Japan's leadership race hots up
(21 minutes later)
The race to succeed Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gathered speed as two key candidates indicated that they planned to run.The race to succeed Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gathered speed as two key candidates indicated that they planned to run.
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda formally announced plans to contest the ruling party leadership.Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda formally announced plans to contest the ruling party leadership.
Taro Aso, the party's number two, also told journalists he wanted to stand, Kyodo news agency reported.Taro Aso, the party's number two, also told journalists he wanted to stand, Kyodo news agency reported.
The Liberal Democratic Party will choose Mr Abe's successor on 23 September.The Liberal Democratic Party will choose Mr Abe's successor on 23 September.
The party has a lower house majority and so the new leader is guaranteed to become prime minister.The party has a lower house majority and so the new leader is guaranteed to become prime minister.
Mr Abe announced his resignation on Wednesday, a move that surprised many and drew criticism from the opposition and the media.Mr Abe announced his resignation on Wednesday, a move that surprised many and drew criticism from the opposition and the media.
A day later he was admitted to hospital suffering from a stress-linked stomach complaint.A day later he was admitted to hospital suffering from a stress-linked stomach complaint.
'Emergency situation''Emergency situation'
Mr Fukuda, 71, made his announcement to party supporters in a Tokyo hotel.Mr Fukuda, 71, made his announcement to party supporters in a Tokyo hotel.
Veteran lawmaker Yasuo Fukuda served under Junichiro Koizumi Taro Aso is seen as a strong contender for the leadership
"This is an emergency situation, so I will do what I must do," he said."This is an emergency situation, so I will do what I must do," he said.
"I have a strong sense that I should do this for the country to move Japanese politics forward.""I have a strong sense that I should do this for the country to move Japanese politics forward."
Mr Aso, meanwhile, has not formally declared his candidacy but told journalists he planned to run.Mr Aso, meanwhile, has not formally declared his candidacy but told journalists he planned to run.
"I want to stand," Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying. He is expected to hold a press conference later in the day."I want to stand," Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying. He is expected to hold a press conference later in the day.
ROAD TO RESIGNATION Sept 2006: Shinzo Abe is elected as PM, with long agenda of reformsEarly 2007: Series of scandals involving senior ministers July 2007: LDP loses control of Japan's upper house for the first time in its history.27 Aug: Abe reshuffles his Cabinet9 Sept: Abe stakes his job on extending Japan's support of US-led mission in Afghanistan12 Sept: Abe announces he is stepping down Possible contenders Press surprise Abe's road to resignationROAD TO RESIGNATION Sept 2006: Shinzo Abe is elected as PM, with long agenda of reformsEarly 2007: Series of scandals involving senior ministers July 2007: LDP loses control of Japan's upper house for the first time in its history.27 Aug: Abe reshuffles his Cabinet9 Sept: Abe stakes his job on extending Japan's support of US-led mission in Afghanistan12 Sept: Abe announces he is stepping down Possible contenders Press surprise Abe's road to resignation
Mr Aso, a former foreign minister, has been seen as the leading contender to replace Mr Abe.Mr Aso, a former foreign minister, has been seen as the leading contender to replace Mr Abe.
But Mr Fukuda, a foreign policy dove with considerable political clout, could also harness strong party support.But Mr Fukuda, a foreign policy dove with considerable political clout, could also harness strong party support.
The former government spokesman had been considered a key candidate to replace Mr Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, when he stepped down in September 2006, but decided not to stand.The former government spokesman had been considered a key candidate to replace Mr Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, when he stepped down in September 2006, but decided not to stand.
Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who on Thursday announced his decision to run, said that he was backing out and would throw his support behind Mr Fukuda.Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who on Thursday announced his decision to run, said that he was backing out and would throw his support behind Mr Fukuda.
Since Mr Abe's resignation there have been calls for a snap election, as well as concerns over a leadership vacuum while he is in hospital.Since Mr Abe's resignation there have been calls for a snap election, as well as concerns over a leadership vacuum while he is in hospital.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano said that Mr Abe would remain in charge.Chief Cabinet Secretary Kaoru Yosano said that Mr Abe would remain in charge.
"Although Mr Abe has expressed his intention to resign, the current Cabinet is responsible for affairs until the new prime minister is inaugurated," he said."Although Mr Abe has expressed his intention to resign, the current Cabinet is responsible for affairs until the new prime minister is inaugurated," he said.
Mr Abe's decision to step down followed a disastrous loss for his party in upper house polls in July and a series of damaging ministerial scandals that had led many to question his leadership skills.Mr Abe's decision to step down followed a disastrous loss for his party in upper house polls in July and a series of damaging ministerial scandals that had led many to question his leadership skills.