Japanese PM re-elected as LDP president as no challenger emerges

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) raises his fist as he shouts slogans with his party lawmakers during a kickoff ceremony for the party chief election in Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo, September 8, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been re-elected as party chief without a vote as nobody filed candidacy for the presidential election set for Sept 20, local media reported Tuesday.

The LDP received applications from candidates from 8 am to 8: 30 am local time Tuesday. Senior lawmakers Seiko Noda, who has expressed her intention to challenge Abe, gave up at last on filing candidacy, said Japan's Kyodo News Agency.