The Democratic Party of Japan will hold a midterm presidential election Monday to pick a successor to Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
Among the seven possible candidates, former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, who officially announced his candidacy Tuesday, is regarded as the frontrunner. A recent Kyodo survey also shows he is the most popular with the public.
Other DPJ lawmakers expected to run are Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, trade minister Banri Kaieda, farm minister Michihiko Kano and ex-transport minister Sumio Mabuchi. Other hopefuls are ex-Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa and former DPJ Diet affairs chief Shinji Tarutoko.
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