The Liberal Democratic Party on Monday elected Mr. Taro Aso as its new leader, after the opposition Democratic Party of Japan approved Mr. Ichiro Ozawa as party leader for a third term Sunday. Mr. Aso, as a new prime minister, will have a showdown with Mr. Ozawa in general elections expected in late October or early November.
Mr. Aso grabbed two-thirds of the vote. After his election as party leader, he said: "We must fight against the DPJ with a firm determination. Only by gaining a victory in the elections, we will be able to fulfill Heaven's will."
The road ahead of him will be rough. People's trust in the LDP has fallen because, in the past two years, two successive LDP prime ministers have resigned before their terms ended, without giving sufficient explanations. Such factors as pension-related problems, the unpopular health insurance scheme for elderly people and the tainted-rice distribution scandal are sending head winds against the LDP.