Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wins leadership race in Japan opposition party election
TOKYO - Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has won an election to become president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party. He is known as a hawk and nationalist.
Abe could become Japan's next prime minister if the LDP wins the most seats in the next election, as polls suggest.
He defeated ex-defence chief Shigeru Ishiba in a run-off election Wednesday by a vote of 108-89.
During his campaign for the LDP's top job, Abe has taken a tough stance against China in a territorial dispute over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea also claimed by Beijing.
