Aso admits defeat 'likely' in Japan leadership race

Yasuo Fukuda appeared destined to become Japan’s new prime minister as his sole challenger admitted today he was likely to lose the ruling party’s upcoming leadership election.

Former foreign minister Taro Aso, a foreign policy hawk, did not contest a talk show host’s suggestion that his more dovish opponent Fukuda would most likely win the September 23 Liberal Democratic Party presidential ballot in a landslide.