Staff writer

Concern over who will become the next prime minister is secondary to making sure that key posts in the new Cabinet, such as those of finance minister and foreign minister, are given to professionals.

That was the opinion expressed by many of Japan's business leaders following the selection of Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi as president of the Liberal Democratic Party to succeed Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. Obuchi is expected to be elected prime minister in a Diet vote next week due to the LDP's Lower House majority.