Aso and six others line up in Japan PM race
China Daily | Updated: 2008-09-06 08:03
Former foreign minister Taro Aso, frontrunner to become Japan's next leader, faced a growing field of six would-be rivals on Friday, as the ruling party hoped a vibrant leadership race would revive its dismal voter ratings.
Aso, 67 formally announced his candidacy to replace outgoing prime minister Yasuo Fukuda, who abruptly quit on Monday.
"My mission will be huge ... I will call for recovery in the economy and allaying people's anxiety," Aso, the No 2 in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), told a news conference.
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