Outspoken conservative Taro Aso took an early lead yesterday in the race to be Japan's prime minister but the opposition vowed to wrest power, saying it was the country's "last chance" for change.
Unpopular Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda quit earlier this month faced with an economy teetering on recession and a rising opposition vying for a landmark victory in general elections that could come as soon as next month.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) meets on Monday to choose among a record field of five candidates seeking to be the next prime minister.
Aso, a former foreign minister who turned 68 on Saturday, swept all 18 votes that came in ahead of time from regional chapters, a party official said.
Aso is seen as running strong in struggling rural areas as he has pledged to use public money to stimulate Asia's largest economy -- a break from a long push in the LDP for free-market reforms.