With the Democratic Party's presidential election just weeks away, one of its best-known conservatives officially threw his hat into the ring Friday in a race that will determine the next leader to steer the nation's biggest opposition party.
The bid by veteran politician Seiji Maehara, 54, will pit him against 48-year-old Renho, who earlier this month pledged to become the party's first female leader.
While Renho, who only goes by one name, trumpets her communication skills and ability to shake up the party's staid image, Maehara said "freshness" and "generational change" are secondary concerns.