Hosono may run for DPJ leadership / Head-to-head battle with Noda likely
News On Japan via Yomiuri -- Sep 07
Environment Minister Goshi Hosono is highly likely to run in the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential election on Sept. 21, several sources close to him have said.
Hosono, 41, who also serves as state minister for nuclear power policy and administration, has been cautious and reluctant to state his candidacy in the presidential race.
Although he has repeatedly denied any plans to run in the election, he said Wednesday night, "We must show the public that the DPJ has been reborn, and it has changed." Hosono's statement suggests he will run if his fellow party members insist he do so.
Many DPJ members, especially those among its junior ranks, have called for Hosono to run for party president to become the face of the DPJ in the next House of Representatives election.
If the popular, young incumbent minister were to run, he would be a strong rival to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, 55, political observers said. The election would be a de facto head-to-head competition between the two, they predicted.
Source: Yomiuri
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