Japan's ruling party yesterday started searching for a new leader and prime minister after Ryutaro Hashimoto resigned to take the blame for Sunday's election humiliation.
Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi, the 'grey man' of Japanese politics who has made no secret of his ambitions, said publicly he had not decided whether to announce his candidacy.
However, the Yomiuri Shimbun said he had already decided to announce his candidacy.
'If we miss this chance, a scenario of prime minister Obuchi will never come,' a close Obuchi aide told the newspaper.
Mr Hashimoto will stay on as caretaker leader until July 30. The 60-year-old premier apologised to his cabinet again yesterday for the loss of 17 seats in Sunday's upper house election amid discontent with government handling of the deepening recession and financial woes.
Mr Hashimoto had little advice for his replacement, warning only that he should resist pressure for general elections.
The LDP held its first meeting to discuss how it should choose its new leader.
