Japan's LDP deny election date is set

Reports speculate Mori may resign officially on April 5

TOKYO, Japan -- Japan's ruling party has denied the date has been set for an election to choose gaffe-prone Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's successor.

One news report said Thursday that an election had been set for April 23.

Mori's successor will assume the presidency of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and will in effect become the new Japanese prime minister as the LDP holds the majority in parliament.

The Asahi newspaper, citing unidentified government and LDP officials, said parliament would vote for the new prime minister on April 23, although other reports have suggested alternative dates.

The victor is expected to name his cabinet the same day he is elected.

IN DEPTH Mori: A difficult decision A nation in crisis

The Nihon Keizai newspaper, also citing unidentified sources, reported Thursday that Mori is expected to announce his resignation and his intention not to run for another term on April 5.

The party refused to confirm the reports. LDP spokesman Yoshiaki Tamari said Thursday that the party has not decided when it will elect a new president.

Earlier this month, Mori indicated that he would move up elections for the ruling party president, which were originally scheduled for September -- a move considered to signal his intention to step down.

The party has been under intense pressure to replace Mori ahead of upper house elections this summer.

Unpopularity on the rise

Mori's tenure, which began last April after former prime minister Keizo Obuchi suffered a fatal stroke, has been marred by scandals and frequent verbal gaffes. He has repeatedly come under fire for his remarks evoking the nationalism of Japan's wartime leaders.

His public support ratings have plunged below 10 percent, making him the second-most unpopular prime minister Japan has had since World War II.

Several possible successors have been named by the media, but no-one has formally expressed a desire to run.

Hiromu Nonaka, a party veteran many see as the strongest contender, has several times denied any interest. Junichiro Koizumi, a former health minister, has also been named as a possible successor to Mori but has been vague about his intentions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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