Across Asia: Japan

LDP branches back Aso

Japan's Taro Aso, who favors more government spending to boost the economy, has the backing of half of the ruling party's branches to become the next prime minister after Yasuo Fukuda's abrupt resignation, a media survey showed yesterday.

Aso is relatively popular with voters, but some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are worried that his calls for spending will turn back the clock on efforts to cut public debt, which is the highest among big industrialized countries.