With the Iowa caucus Monday, the primary voting process that will select Democratic and Republican candidates to run in the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential election has begun. Over the next four months, American, and international, attention will be focused on the primary races, and who emerges as their party's standard-bearer.
The election is being closely watched in Japan, as well, for its impact on bilateral relations as well as what a new U.S. president might mean for Japan's role in East Asia, especially in terms of military security and regional trade.
Who are the main candidates?