The largest faction in the Liberal Democratic Party is facing a crisis because of divisions over who to support in the presidential election next Monday.
The Machimura faction, which has produced the past four prime ministers, is led by Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, who has been troubled by the sudden resignations of the previous two prime ministers, Shinzo Abe and Yasuo Fukuda.
Key members of the faction, including Machimura, Abe and Yoshiro Mori, have said they intend to vote for LDP Secretary General Taro Aso, who would become the next prime minister if chosen.