TOKYO, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Shinzo Abe, the popular chief Cabinet secretary, was the big favorite as campaigning began Friday for prime minister of Japan.
The election is Sept. 20 to find a successor to Junichiro Koizumi. Opposing Abe are Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and Foreign Minister Taro Aso, the Kyodo news agency reported.
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They opened their campaigns by offering ways to improve relations with China and South Korea and rebuild state finances.
Opinion polls have Abe far ahead of the pack, Kyodo surveys show. He also has support of about 80 percent of his fellow Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers, Kyodo said.
