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Japan's leadership race hots up Japan's leadership race hots up
(about 5 hours later)
The race to succeed Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gathered speed as two key candidates indicated that they planned to run. Two key candidates announced plans to contest Japan's ruling party leadership as the race to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gathered pace.
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda formally announced plans to contest the ruling party leadership. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda and the ruling party's number two leader, Taro Aso, both formally announced plans to run.
Taro Aso, the party's number two, also told journalists he wanted to stand, Kyodo news agency reported. The Liberal Democratic Party will pick Mr Abe's successor on 23 September.
The Liberal Democratic Party will choose Mr Abe's successor on 23 September. Mr Abe announced his resignation on Wednesday, a move that surprised many and drew public and media criticism.
The party has a lower house majority and so the new leader is guaranteed to become prime minister. A day later he was admitted to hospital suffering from a stress-related stomach complaint.
Mr Abe announced his resignation on Wednesday, a move that surprised many and drew criticism from the opposition and the media. The ruling party has dismissed opposition calls for a snap election.
A day later he was admitted to hospital suffering from a stress-linked stomach complaint. The party has a lower house majority and so its new leader is guaranteed to become prime minister.
'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 at a Tokyo hotel.
Taro Aso is seen as a strong contender for the leadershipTaro 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, said he wanted to make his policies clear to the voters.
"I want to stand," Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying. He is expected to hold a press conference later in the day. "It is my duty to shed the image that the LDP is going backwards," he said.
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, had 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 now 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.