Tokyo, Sept 05: Former Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura officially announced his candidature today to replace Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi as head of Japan's ruling party, setting up a four-way race for the post.

Though formal campaigning for the September 20 vote begins on Monday, Komura said he had secured the support of 20 Liberal Democrats in Parliament, the minimum required, at a meeting of his faction within the party, according to aide Tatsuo Ando.
Koizumi is seen as a strong favorite, but two other Liberal Democratic Party veterans announced their candidature on Wednesday.
Shizuka Kamei, a former Construction Minister, said he would implement a massive economic stimulus package to revive the ailing economy and do the ``exact opposite'' of Koizumi if elected.
Takao Fujii, a member of the party's largest faction and a former Transportation Minister, said he would focus on ridding Japan of deflation _ prolonged price declines _ before rapidly carrying out economic reforms.



Though Koizumi has alienated some of the party's old guard with his calls for reform and fiscal austerity, he is seen as the favorite because he enjoys high public approval ratings and because his rivals are divided.



The LDP president is assured of becoming Prime Minister because of the party's dominant position in Parliament.



Koizumi's position ahead of the polls strengthened earlier this week, when a ruling party heavyweight from a rival faction put his support behind the premier.


Bureau Report