Shigeru Ishiba, minister for regional revitalization, is set to form his own faction with an eye on challenging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party when the party next elects a leader, sources close to Ishiba said Wednesday.
The move comes just a day after Abe was reappointed unopposed as the LDP chief for another three-year term.
It appears also to be aimed at influencing the Cabinet reshuffle and changes in the LDP executive lineup, which could take place as early as next month.