Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a shot in the arm on Thursday when LDP heavyweight Mikio Aoki threw his support to the prime minister in the party's upcoming presidential election.
Aoki leads the 42 House of Councilors members belonging to the Liberal Democratic Party's biggest faction. His much-anticipated announcement is likely to boost the odds of a Koizumi victory in the Sept. 20 party election.
Another LDP faction, led by LDP Executive Council Chairman Mitsuo Horiuchi, remained in disarray over who it should support in the race.