August 27, 2010
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The Democratic Party of Japan leadership election is becoming a face-off between party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa and the current party President and Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
Supporters for both candidates are working hard to reach out to as many undecided DPJ lawmakers as possible.
On Thursday, Ozawa announced his decision to run in the party's presidential election next month. The winner of the leadership race will automatically become the next prime minister of Japan.Kan spoke to his aides on Thursday night and said that he wants to carry out a fair election that will satisfy the Japanese people. He also said he feels he is facing a historical mission, because the election will be a test for the DPJ.
About 20 DPJ members close to Kan gathered at a Tokyo hotel and called undecided lawmakers by phone to garner support for the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, Ozawa held meetings with former Prime Ministers Yukio Hatoyama and Tsutomu Hata, along with other party seniors to secure their support.
Lawmakers close to Ozawa also made phone calls to other party members to try and drum up support for their candidate.
The DPJ election will be officially announced on Wednesday.
2010/08/27 06:52(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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