Three men will challenge Yoshihiko Noda for leadership of the governing Democratic Party of Japan, it was announced Monday, with the Prime Minister widely expected to stay in the position.
Under party rules, there must be an election every two years for the job, which currently comes with the post of Prime Minister, but after his only serious rival ruled himself out, Noda’s grip looks secure.
As prime minister and leader of the DPJ –presently the biggest party in parliament – Noda has pushed through unpopular legislation on doubling sales tax.
This, alongside general disenchantment with his once-popular party, has left many lawmakers fearing for their jobs in the general election that is expected this autumn.
Noda’s telegenic environment minister had been seen as a credible challenger until he ruled himself out of the running last week.
Goshi Hosono would have been the seventh prime minister in six years, and Japan’s youngest ever head of government, if he had won.
Noda will face challenges from three of his backbenchers: former internal affairs minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi, former agriculture minister Hirotaka Akamatsu, and another former agriculture minister Michihiko Kano.