Jockeying begins for leadership vote in Abe's party

TOKYO－Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to hold a leadership vote on Sept 14 to replace Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is stepping down due to ill health, local media reported on Monday.

The new party leader will become the country's next prime minister, due to the party's parliamentary majority, with four possible candidates vying for the position.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving premier, told US President Donald Trump earlier on Monday in a phone call that the strengthening of their two nations' alliance would be maintained even after he leaves office, a Japanese government spokesman said.