Japan ruling party seeks new leader after PM quits

By George Nishiyama

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's shock resignation sent his ruling party scrambling to find a new leader who could revive public support following an election defeat in July and a string of scandals.

Abe, who took office a year ago pledging to raise Japan's global security profile and rewrite its pacifist constitution, said on Wednesday he was quitting to try to resolve deadlock over a naval mission supporting U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.

Senior officials said health problems were a factor in Abe's decision. His aides were not available to comment on speculation that a soon-to-be-published tabloid magazine article on suspicions he had evaded taxes had prompted his departure.

Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was likely to approve later on Thursday a plan to choose Abe's successor on September 19, with some LDP politicians demanding the party poll be held in an "fair and open" manner to win back voters' trust.

Abe will stay as caretaker until a successor is picked.

LDP Secretary-General Taro Aso, a former foreign minister under Abe who shares his hawkish views on security, is seen as a frontrunner. But his closeness to Abe and a penchant for gaffes leaves doubts whether Aso's victory is assured, analysts said.

Other names floated include former finance minister Sadakazu Tanigaki and former chief cabinet secretary Yasuo Fukuda.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said U.S. President George W. Bush had "appreciated the working relationship" with Abe.

"What goes on in terms of Japanese internal politics, is internal politics. But Japan remains a vital ally, we continue to work closely with the Japanese on a whole range of issues."

Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, turned down a request to run for the post again, Kyodo news agency reported.

"Aso will probably be the next prime minister and keep all or most of the cabinet ministers. The general direction of policy won't change," said political commentator Ichiro Maeda.

While the opposition took control of parliament's upper house in the July election, the LDP and its junior partner have a large majority in the lower house, which picks the prime minister.

Some LDP politicians and local chapters, worried the party could not win the next general election with Abe in charge, had pushed him to step down.

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No election for the lower house need be held until 2009, but some analysts say parliamentary deadlock resulting from the opposition's grip on the upper house, could trigger one sooner.