Aso wants to lead LDP party after Fukuda

TOKYO, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Taro Aso, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Tuesday expressed interest to succeed Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who has resigned.

Aso, 67, said he is qualified to run for party president in the election set for Sept. 22, which would then clear the way for him to succeed Fukuda, who quit Monday after being in office for barely a year.

Aso told reporters his willingness to run for party president was based on discussions with Fukuda on various issues, including the country's $107 billion emergency economic stimulus package, Kyodo news service reported.

The party may field other candidates for party president.

The new LDP president will become the next prime minister as the party and its coalition partners have overwhelming majority in the lower house of parliament.

Aso is known for his conservative views, which include following a tough policy toward North Korea, the BBC reported.

Regardless of who succeeds Fukuda, the pressure to have new elections will continue, the report said.

Fukuda, who took over the government from Shinzo Abe last September, had seen his public support plummet and had a hard time dealing with opposition parties, who control Japan's upper house, to get important legislation passed.