Aso elected LDP head, to become PM

TOKYO, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Former Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso Monday was elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party, a step toward his becoming Japan's prime minister.

Aso's election and his strong name recognition raised his party's hopes of victory in elections expected to be called soon, Kyodo reported. The LDP leads the ruling coalition and has lost control of the upper house of parliament.

Aso, 68, an outspoken hawk, won 351 of the 527 of the party votes, defeating his four rivals, the report said.

Aso is expected to be sworn in as prime minister Wednesday with the help of the party's majority in the lower house, the report said.

Although Aso can stay on as caretaker prime minister for another year, he was expected to dissolve the lower house for a general election by the end of October in the hope of ending the deadlock in parliament.