Japan PM widens lead in party leadership race

By Linda Sieg | China Daily | Updated: 2010-09-11 07:42

Japanese Prime Minister and ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leader Naoto Kan (right) and his rival Ichiro Ozawa smile after their debate before DPJ lawmakers for the Sept 14 party leadership election at the National Diet in Tokyo on Friday. Jiji Press / Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has widened his lead over powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa ahead of a party leadership vote, Kyodo news agency said on Friday, days before the contest that could set Japan's fiscal priorities.