Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a favorite in opinion polls to become the next prime minister, will run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election, the Asahi Shimbun daily reported on Monday, citing members of Ishiba's faction.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has also indicated he intends to run in the race, according to a source with the direct knowledge of the matter.
Opinion polls show that Ishiba, 63, is the people's choice to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.