Factional politics once again have come to the forefront of the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election with reports Wednesday that Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe has secured the support of two faction leaders and is a virtual shoo-in.
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Makoto Koga and former industry minister Toshihiro Nikai, two faction chiefs who have been tight-lipped on who they will support, told LDP Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe earlier this month they will back Abe, party sources said.
If all members vote with the two leaders, Abe's vote tally would reach about 230 of the 403 LDP Diet members, according to a Kyodo News tally.