TOKYO -- The prospect of a new prime minister has sent Japan's stock market to its highest level since 1990 as investors hope stronger leadership and fresh policies will spark change in the world's third-largest economy.
The four candidates to succeed Yoshihide Suga as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party face off in a poll of party members and members of parliament on Wednesday. If no one wins a majority of ballots, the top two candidates will then head into a runoff, with the victor set to become prime minister ahead of a general election due before late November.
