Five line up to be next PM, opposition targeted

Five ruling party candidates vying to become Japan's next prime minister differed yesterday over how to boost a faltering economy, but they united in an unusually harsh attack on the opposition as they eyed a likely election.

Former foreign minister Taro Aso is the odds-on favorite to win the race to become prime minister and call a snap election to seek a mandate to resolve a deadlock in parliament, where opposition parties control the upper house and can stall laws.

The long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is hoping a vibrant debate will improve its standing with voters ahead of a election that analysts say could be called for November.