Banri Kaieda becomes new DPJ chief

TOKYO - Banri Kaieda on Tuesday became the new leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in the leadership election held in the day.

He defeated his rival, Sumio Mabuchi, and gained 90 votes from a total of 144 valid votes casted by 145 DPJ lawmakers in the Diet.

New leader of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and former trade minister Banri Kaieda speaks during a news conference after he is elected leader of the DPJ at the DPJ leadership election in Tokyo Dec 25, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda resigned from the post immediately after the DPJ suffered a fiasco in the lower house election held on Dec 16.  

Kaieda, former trade minister, said after the election that he will spare no efforts to rebuild the party.

As of now, the DPJ is trying to grab a victory in the upper house election next summer. The DPJ now still remains the largest force in the 242-seat chamber.