When he emerged Thursday to run against Naoto Kan for the Democratic Party of Japan presidency and hence the prime ministership, many probably asked who is Shinji Tarutoko?

Although Tarutoko, 50, was not well-known and hasn't held a Cabinet post or an executive position in the DPJ, he managed to garner 129 votes in Friday's race against Kan, who captured 291 of the ballots. Observers say he fared well despite limited time to prepare for the election against a big name like Kan.

Many but not all lawmakers who are close to now ex-DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa are said to have backed him.