With the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential election set to pick Prime Minister Naoto Kan's successor possibly in a week, a key focus has been whether former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara will throw his hat into the ring.

Maehara has reportedly told allies he is willing to run but has not publicly clarified his stance. He was expected to hold talks with his faction Monday and could become the latest to join an already crowded field.

Others hoping to succeed Kan as DPJ president and thus prime minister include Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, farm minister Michihiko Kano, trade minister Banri Kaieda and former transport minister Sumio Mabuchi.