Majority of LDP will support Abe | 日本のニュースを英語で読むならジャパンタイムズウィークリー


	UPDATE: Saturday, June 12, 2010 The Japan Times Weekly 2006年8月12日号（バックナンバー）

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Majority of LDP will support Abe

Shinzo Abe has the support of close to the majority of governing Liberal-Democratic Party lawmakers in the race to succeed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in September, according to a Kyodo News survey.

Financial Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki

More than 180 of the 403 LDP Diet members expressed support for Abe, the hawkish chief Cabinet secretary and a favorite in opinion polls to become premier in September.

Two other possible contenders -- Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and Foreign Minister Taro Aso -- are struggling to secure the required 20 nominations to run in the Sept. 20 ballot to replace Koizumi.

Koizumi's term as LDP president ends Sept. 30, and he said he won't run again. Whoever wins the party election is almost certain to be named prime minister by the LDP-dominated Lower House.

Abe, known for his hawkish stance against China and North Korea, has maintained a constant lead in opinion polls although he has yet to officially announce his candidacy.

Each of the party's 403 lawmakers, excluding house speakers, have one vote in the LDP presidential elections. The party's local chapters cast a further 300 votes.

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