Democratic Party lawmaker Goshi Hosono has said he won't run in the main opposition party's leadership election next month, hinting that he may support Deputy President Renho, who said she will run last week. She has the support of the current party leadership.
"I will give it a miss this time," Hosono, a former environment minister, told reporters Tuesday at the Diet. "When I think about who might be accepted by the public (as leader), Ms. Renho is an extremely strong candidate."
Hosono is prominent among DP members who are in conflict with the party's leadership. Throwing his support behind Renho would make it difficult for the anti-leadership camp to field a candidate who has a chance of defeating her.