Kaieda

Banri Kaieda, the trade minister, did nothing for his chances when he broke down in tears under opposition attack.

Late Tuesday morning, Economics Minister Banri Kaieda ordered the company to drench with water a pool containing nuclear-waste material.

Industry Minister Banri Kaieda says he wants the company to quickly hand out the payments.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Banri Kaieda said the government appreciated the decision.

Even if Mr. Kaieda emerges at the top in the first round of voting, critics of Mr. Ozawa could line up en masse behind the runner-up.

However, Mr Kaieda noted that Japan had been ill-prepared for what he called the "surprise attack" of Chinese export curbs.

Banri Kaieda, Japan's industry minister, says only about half of Tokyo's typical additional demand can be met this year.

Minister of state Banri Kaieda called on China to lift export restrictions "as soon as possible" in an interview with the Financial Times.

Mr Ozawa backed Banri Kaieda, a trade minister who looked increasingly in danger of becoming a puppet for the backroom fixer.

Finance minister Yoshihiko Noda and trade minister Banri Kaieda are also viewed as contenders.

From the prime minister's office, Mr. Kaieda called Tepco executives hourly to check on progress.

Tokyo would also look to develop alternative sources of supply for rare earths, Mr Kaieda said.

"Very timely" , gushed the economics minister, Banri Kaieda. "I think it met Prime Minister Naoto Kan's expectations" , he added.

Mr Kaieda added that Japan would try to develop substitutes for their use in high-tech products.

Mr. Kan and Banri Kaieda, the minister in charge of the power industry, gave their official blessing to vent around 1: 30 a. m.

"In reality there is an export ban on rare earths, " Mr Kaieda said.

Nonetheless, in the vote by nearly 400 party lawmakers set for Monday, Mr. Kaieda, 62 years old, is seen as the front-runner.