Former foreign minister Taro Aso, frontrunner to become Japan's next leader, speaks during a news conference in Tokyo September 5, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TOKYO, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Japan's popular politician Taro Aso formally announced Friday that he will take part in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s presidential election to succeed outgoing party leader and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

    At a press conference held at the LDP's headquarters in the morning, Aso, who is the LDP's secretary general, said he will target reviving the economy and create comfortable lives for citizens.

    The 67-year-old politician, who used to be foreign minister in both Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe's Cabinets and known for his interest in cartoons, is set to become prime minister if elected party president since the LDP controls the majority in the more powerful lower house of the parliament.

    Aso expressed his willingness to run in the race shortly after Fukuda's announcement of resignation Monday evening. He was defeated by Fukuda in the last race for the party presidency and premiership in September 2007.

    The LDP has set the date of presidential election on Sept. 22. The campaigning is to officially starts Wednesday.

    Aso is widely seen as the front-runner in the upcoming election. Former Defense Minister Yuriko Koike, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Kaoru Yosano and Nobuteru Ishihara, former LDP policy chief, have also decided to run in the race.

Japan's ruling LDP to hold presidential election on Sept. 22

    TOKYO, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has formally decided to have the presidential election on Sept. 22 to pick a successor to Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, said Takashi Sasagawa, chairman of the LDP's General Council on Wednesday.

    And the official campaigns is scheduled to kick off on Sept. 10, Sasagawa said at a press conference.  Full story

Fukuda's resignation leaves uncertainty to ruling party

    TOKYO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced his abrupt resignation Monday evening, sending shockwaves across the nation and incurring criticism. Sluggish public support rate and tough political situation such as the "contorted" Diet finally cornered Fukuda to step down less than one year in office.

    As Fukuda recalled at the hastily-convened press conference at his official residence, his Cabinet has never stood on a favorable ground. His ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was defeated in the House of Councillors election two month before he assumed the premiership in September 2007, costing the ruling coalition's majority in the upper house of the Diet.  Full story

Japanese PM announces resignation

    TOKYO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda announced his decision to resign Monday.

    At a hastily-summoned press conference at the prime minister's official residence in the evening, Fukuda said he met a lot of difficulties in his term and called for a new framework to implement policies.  Full story