The Liberal Democratic Party on Monday elected Mr. Taro Aso as its new leader, after the opposition Democratic Party of Japan approved Mr. Ichiro Ozawa as party leader for a third term Sunday. Mr. Aso, as a new prime minister, will have a showdown with Mr. Ozawa in general elections expected in late October or early November.

Mr. Aso grabbed two-thirds of the vote. After his election as party leader, he said: "We must fight against the DPJ with a firm determination. Only by gaining a victory in the elections, we will be able to fulfill Heaven's will."

The road ahead of him will be rough. People's trust in the LDP has fallen because, in the past two years, two successive LDP prime ministers have resigned before their terms ended, without giving sufficient explanations. Such factors as pension-related problems, the unpopular health insurance scheme for elderly people and the tainted-rice distribution scandal are sending head winds against the LDP.

After being confirmed as party leader, Mr. Ozawa criticized the market-first principle initiated by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi as having expanded disparity in every field. Meanwhile, Mr. Aso's call for active fiscal policy measures should attract many LDP politicians and local chapter officials who believe that such a policy would help rural areas suffering from the effects of the so-called structural reform policy line.

Mr. Ozawa said his party, if it takes power, will allocate about ¥22 trillion, or 10 percent of the nation's net spending, to measures such as pension reform, a child allowance, income compensation for farmers and abolition of expressway tolls.

Mr. Aso criticized Mr. Ozawa's proposals as pork barrel and lacking concrete fund sources. Mr. Aso's policy measures also need elaboration. Both Mr. Aso and Mr. Ozawa need to flesh out their proposals and clearly show how they will cope with the problems facing the nation, including repercussions from the U.S. financial crisis.