Japan's ruling party votes for new PM

TOKYO: Lawmakers of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party started voting on Sunday to pick the next prime minister, with dovish political insider Yasuo Fukuda ahead in surveys.

The vote comes nearly two weeks after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe abruptly resigned and checked into a hospital after a series of scandals embroiled his cabinet and amid low approval ratings.

Fukuda, a 71-year-old veteran lawmaker known for moderate views on relations with China, faces a challenge from hawkish former foreign minister Taro Aso.

The vote is technically for the presidency of the LDP. Parliament is nearly certain to install the winner as prime minister on Tuesday as the LDP controls the more powerful lower house.

The LDP's 387 parliament members are voting Sunday, with ballots already sent in by 141 representatives of the party's regional chapters.

Jiji Press, in interviews with local officials, said that 77 of the regional voters were seen as having backed Fukuda and 64 supported Aso.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com