Japan's ruling party leadership race officially starts

Japan's ruling Democratic Party former secretary general Ichiro Ozawa smiles during a news conference at the Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo August 31, 2010. Japanese powerbroker Ozawa told a news conference on Tuesday he would stick to his plan to challenge Prime Minister Naoto Kan in a party leadership election next month, setting up a showdown that threatens to create a policy vacuum as Japan struggles with a strong yen and a fragile economy.. [Photo/Agencies]

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks at a news conference in Tokyo August 31, 2010. Japanese powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa said on Tuesday he would stick to his plan to challenge Prime Minister Naoto Kan in a party election, setting up a showdown that threatens to create a policy vacuum as Japan struggles with a strong yen and a fragile economy. [Photo/Agencies]