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Aso wants Japanese premiership

02/09/2008

Taro Aso has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Yasuo Fukuda as Japan's prime minister.

The former foreign minister, now secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic party (LDP), confirmed his intention to run for the leadership one day after Mr Fukuda unexpectedly stepped down.

"I'd like to act out my own thoughts," the Kyodo news agency quoted him as saying at a news conference, as he insisted he was "qualified" for the top job.

The LDP will hold its election for the party's presidency on September 22nd, giving potential rivals to Mr Aso plenty of time to emerge.

He found himself in a similar situation last year when Shinzo Abe made way after his party lost control of the upper house in Japan's parliament.

Mr Fukuda succeeded in that election as the LDP felt his more stable, unimaginative style of leadership was what was required.

His lack of verve contributed to difficulties with the upper house, where policy deadlock occurred. Mr Aso said Mr Fukuda had told the party at a meeting of its executives: "I'm sorry for causing so much trouble."