Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi is almost certain to win re-election as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, easily defeating rivals Koichi Kato and Taku Yamasaki, in a vote by party members today.
Once Obuchi can claim a two-year term as LDP president, he is expected to accelerate talks for establishing a new tripartite coalition among the LDP, the Liberal Party and New Komeito, which together will account for a stable majority in both chambers of the Diet.
While the ballots of the party's rank-and-file members were due in by Monday's deadline, the LDP's Diet members will cast their votes from 4 p.m. today. The result is scheduled to be announced around 5 p.m., party officials said.