A senior member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has confirmed he will run for leadership of the party to replace former prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Taro Aso (66) has served in key cabinet jobs including as foreign minister and economic planning minister.
The leadership poll will be held on September 23rd in a bid to avoid an extended power vacuum after incumbent Mr Abe's shock announcement that he would resign this week.
Mr Aso, who has stirred controversy with verbal blunders, is among the conservatives who insist Japan should maintain a tradition of allowing only males to inherit the imperial throne.