Five lawmakers from Japan’s ruling party on Saturday officially declared themselves candidates to succeed Prime Minister Naoto Kan and become the nation’s sixth new premier in five years. Their declaration kicked off two days of campaigning that will culminate in the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) voting on Monday for a new leader, with trade and industry minister Banri Kaieda emerging as a strong contender.
Kan announced his resignation on Friday after less than 15 turbulent months in power, during which his response to the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear plant accident drew fierce criticism.
Through debates and speeches over the weekend, the candidates will seek the support of the 398 DPJ lawmakers who can vote on Monday. Parliament will then elect the leader as prime minister on Tuesday.
The winner faces the daunting task of overseeing Japan’s biggest post-war reconstruction, resolving the world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl 25 years ago, and shielding the economy from a soaring yen.
The new premier must also unite a divided parliament, decide on a new post-Fukushima energy policy and win market confidence that Japan can overcome a legislative quagmire to address the world’s biggest debt mountain. In their first public appearance on Saturday, the five sparred over measures to recover from the March disasters and revamp the stagnant economy. Former foreign minister Seiji Maehara, who has topped the list of hopeful successors to Kan in opinion polls, and Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda were largely seen as pre-election favourites.
