Prime Minister Naoto Kan said Tuesday he and his rival hope to continue working together regardless of who wins the Democratic Party of Japan presidential election.
Kan is facing off against DPJ strongman Ichiro Ozawa in the Sept. 14 poll, the winner of which will also be prime minister.
But with the candidates going after each other, there is much concern over what will come after, with some predicting the loser may leave the ruling party. And if this is Ozawa, the speculation goes, he would exit with his allies, causing further disarray and potentially bringing about a political realignment.