Tokyo - Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi cruised to an easy victory in the race for president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) yesterday, ensuring he remains premier by virtue of the LDP's grip on parliament.
Mr Obuchi received 350 votes, or 68 per cent of the votes cast, against 113 for former LDP Secretary-General Mr Koichi Kato and 51 for former party policy chief, Mr Taku Yamasaki.
The victory clears the way for Mr Obuchi's contentious plan to bring a third party, the Buddhist-backed New Komeito, into the ruling bloc.
