Kan wins Japanese leadership election

TOKYO, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan was re-elected leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan Tuesday defeating Ichiro Ozawa, his only opponent.

Kan and Ozawa fought for a majority of the party's 1,222 electoral points following a fierce two-week campaign, the Kyodo news agency reported.

When the final tally was announced, Kan had 721 votes compared to 491 for Ozawa.

Voting took place after each candidate delivered a 15-minute speech to a party convention in Tokyo.

After his victory was announced, Kan said he would do his best "to maintain our posture in which everyone in the party can show his or her ability."

He resolved anew to work hard to revitalize the country and hand it over to the younger generation.

During the campaign both Kan and Ozawa stressed the importance of reviving Japan's sluggish economy by boosting domestic demand.