The Liberal Democratic Party elected former Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki as its president Sept. 28, giving him the task of guiding back into power a party stinging from its recent electoral thrashing.

Former Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki is elected Liberal Democratic Party president Sept. 28 at the party's headquarters in Tokyo. KYODO PHOTO

Tanigaki received 300 of the 498 votes cast while former Vice Justice Minister Taro Kono received 144 and Yasutoshi Nishimura, a relative newcomer who just won his third term, got 54.

Following its birth in 1955, the LDP enjoyed nearly unbroken rule until its crushing defeat in the Aug. 30 Lower House general election.

Tanigaki becomes the second LDP president not to serve concurrently as prime minister. The first was former Lower House Speaker Yohei Kono, who headed the LDP from 1993 to 1995.

After the vote, Tanigaki stood in front of his fellow LDP lawmakers and supporters, vowing to give everything to make the party top dog again.

"I would like to lead the battle, together with the many party members, to regain public trust once again and devote myself completely to my job so that our party will once again take power," Tanigaki said.

At a news conference following his election, Tanigaki was quick to blast Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, also the president of the Democratic Party of Japan.

Tanigaki accused Hatoyama of failing to provide a clear explanation of dubious fundraising reports over the past four years, including donations credited to deceased people. "Nearly 70 percent of the public has not been convinced by his explanation," Tanigaki said.