Toyota’s quarterly profit tripled, driven by a recovery from natural disasters, and the company raised its full-year earnings forecast despite a sales slump in China.

Japan’s ruling party has elected Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda as its new chief, meaning he will almost certainly become the next prime minister and inherit the challenge of rebuilding from the country’s disasters.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has survived a challenge to his leadership after being re-elected as president of the ruling Democratic Party.

Japan’s prime minister will have to fight for his job next month when the ruling party holds its leadership election.