TOKYO — Ruling party leader Taro Aso readied to take over as Japan’s prime minister in a parliamentary vote today, piecing together a Cabinet expected to include a fellow outspoken hawk as finance chief.
Aso, 68, who was chosen as president of the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Monday, faced an afternoon ballot in a politically split parliament. Aso was all but assured of winning because of the LDP’s power in the lower house.
Shoichi Nakagawa, a former economic minister, was seen as the leading candidate to become the new minister of finance.
Two years ago, Aso and Nakagawa caused a stir by suggesting Japan — whose pacifist constitution forswears war — should have a debate on whether to acquire nuclear weapons. The Associated Press
