Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Naoto Kan is expected to win the Democratic Party of Japan presidency, get voted in by the Diet as prime minister, then form a new Cabinet — all on Friday.
Kan, 63, the front-runner to replace Yukio Hatoyama, who abruptly resigned as prime minister and DPJ president Wednesday, and the ruling party have little time to prepare for the Upper House election expected on July 11.
DPJ heavyweights have voiced their support for Kan, virtually assuring he will win Friday's party presidential election, and the subsequent Diet vote for prime minister.