
TOKYO -- The campaign to lead Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party officially began Friday with four candidates -- two men and two women.
Standing are former foreign minister and LDP policy research chief Fumio Kishida; administrative reform minister Taro Kono, who also has held the foreign and defense chief posts; Sanae Takaichi, who has served as communications minister; and Seiko Noda, a former minister for internal affairs and communications.