TOKYO, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The unexpected resignation announcement Wednesday by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent his ruling Liberal Democratic Party rushing to pick a successor.
The party planned to elect a president by Sept. 19 to replace Abe, Kyodo news service reported, quoting a party member.
The new party leader is virtually assured of becoming the prime minister because of LDP’s majority in the lower house of parliament, Japan Times reported.
The newspaper said LDP Secretary-General Taro Aso, currently the party’s second in command who finished behind Abe in presidential race last year, is considered one of the leading candidates.
Abe, 52, became Japan’s youngest prime minister since World War II when he took office in September 2006. He supported revising the country’s war-renouncing Constitution. He is also credited with leading the effort to improve ties with China and South Korea immediately after taking office.
