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M. Continuo

Japan opposition LDP picks Abe as new leader, possible next PM


    TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's main opposition Liberal Democratic Party picked former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 58, as its new leader in a run-off vote on Wednesday.

    Abe could become Japan's NEXT (NXT.LO)prime minister as opinion polls suggest the LDP will win most seats in an election for parliament's lower house expected in the coming months, putting it in a pivotal position to form the next government of the world's third-largest economy.

    Among issues needing to be resolved, Japan faces a territorial row with China, a long list of economic ills and the need to overhaul its energy policy after the Fukushima radiation crisis.

    (Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto and Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Michael Watson)