Tokyo, Sept. 21 (Xinhua-ANI): Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda won the presidential election of ruling Democratic Party of Japan by a big margin here on Friday, voting results showed.
Noda, 55, garnered 818 out of 1,231 points in the ballot including votes by DPJ Diet lawmakers and rank-and-file party members, comfortably defeating former Internal Affairs Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi with 154 points, former Agriculture Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu, 123, and another ex-Agriculture Minister Michihiko Kano, 113.
Noda's re-election means he can retain his prime ministership despite dropping public support for the party and pressure on him to dissolve the House of Representatives soon and call an early election.
Noda is ready to reshuffle his party executives and Cabinet, possibly on Sept. 28 and Oct. 1, respectively, local media reports said Friday, adding Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano and nuclear disaster minister Goshi Hosono are likely to stay at their posts.
In terms of party personnel, the focus is on whether Noda will replace DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi, the party's No. 2 man, who is opposed to an early election. (Xinhua-ANI)
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