Japan's ruling party to vote for Mori's successor

Japan's ruling party are to choose the successor to Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's on April 22.

His successor, who will assume the presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party, will also become the new Prime Minister in a Parliamentary election.

That is because of the ruling coalition's majority in both houses.

The election in Parliament is set for April 23 and the new PM is expected to name his Cabinet the same day.

Earlier this month, Yoshiro Mori indicated that he would move up elections for ruling party president, which were originally scheduled for September.

The party has been under intense pressure to replace Mr Mori ahead of elections this summer for the upper house of Parliament.

His tenure, which began last April after Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi suffered a fatal stroke, has been marred by scandals and frequent verbal gaffes.

He has repeatedly come under fire for his remarks evoking the nationalism of Japan's wartime leaders.

His public support ratings have plunged below 10%, making him the second-most unpopular prime minister Japan has had since the Second World War.