Japan's ruling party is working to find a new leader after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's shock resignation yesterday.
Mr Abe had said he was quitting over the stalemate in parliament, but senior officials said health problems were also a factor. It was reported he had been admitted to hospital after medical checks.
Mr Abe's year in office has been marked by scandals involving cabinet members and a disastrous election defeat in July. But the conservative leader's decision to step down now sparked criticism over the effect on policies such as tax and fiscal reform.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary-General Taro Aso, a close ally of Mr Abe's, is seen by many as frontrunner to take over, but any successor will still face a deadlock in parliament.
Finance Minister Fukushiro Nukaga said he had decided to run, while other names floated include former finance minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, former chief cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda, and party heavyweight Taku Yamasaki.
The main opposition Democratic Party, along with small allies won control of the upper house in the July election and can delay legislation.
While the opposition took control of parliament's upper house in the July election, the LDP and its junior partner have a large majority in the lower house, which picks the prime minister.