TOKYO — Taro Aso, set to become Japan’s next prime
minister after winning a party vote Monday, now faces a challenge of winning a
general election against an empowered opposition this fall so his party can keep
its five-decade-old grip on power.
Mr.
Aso, 68 years old, beat three contenders in the election of the leader of the
ruling Liberal Democratic Party, winning 351 of the 525 votes. He handily beat
his three contenders, including Kaoru Yosano, economic minister who came in the
second place with 66 votes.
Associated Press
Newly elected Liberal Democratic Party
President Taro Aso bows as he receives applause from other party lawmakers
following the voting at the party headquarters in Tokyo.
The parliament’s lower house, in which the coalition has a
majority, is expected to approve Mr. Aso as prime minister on
Wednesday.
Mr. Aso’s two most-recent
predecessors gave up the job less than a year into their terms amid mounting
challenges: low approval ratings, scandals involving cabinet members and
interference from the opposition Democratic Party of Japan. The current prime
minister, Yasuo Fukuda, abruptly announced his resignation Sept. 1. The date for
the election hasn’t been set but it will likely be in late October or in
November, LDP officials say.
Mr. Aso will
face an uphill battle to stay in power, analysts say. The LDP’s primary support
base have been turning against it in recent years as they suffer from cuts in
public-works spending