Japan’s Abe announces PM candidacy

Shinzo Abe, the man almost certain to become Japan’s next prime minister later this month, on Friday formally launched his candidacy, saying he would help build and preserve a “beautiful country”.

Mr Abe, a conservative, is one of three candidates to have declared for the presidency of the Liberal Democratic party, which comes up on September 20 when Junichiro Koizumi steps down after more than five years in office.

FT