Japanese MPs due to choose next prime minister

Trade Minister Banri Kaieda is considered the favourite to succeed Naoto Kan, who announced his resignation on Friday.

However, none of the five candidates is thought likely to secure enough support on the first ballot and a run-off vote is expected.

Correspondents say the winner will face a daunting agenda.

Large parts of Japan need to be rebuilt after March's earthquake and tsunami, and the crisis at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant still needs to be resolved. Added to that, the new prime minister will need to address Japan's stagnant economy.

Mr Kan stepped down after just 14 months in charge.

He was criticised for failing to show leadership after the earthquake and ensuing nuclear crisis.

On Monday, the 398 MPs of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will vote for a new leader. The leader will become prime minister once approval is given by the Diet, or parliament.

The five candidates spent the weekend jockeying for position among DPJ MPs.

The contest has turned into a bitter factional battle between supporters and enemies of the powerful, but scandal-tainted kingmaker, Ichiro Ozawa.

He has thrown his support behind Mr Kaieda.

Mr Ozawa is believed to command the loyalty of about 130 members of the Diet, despite awaiting trial on charges of misreporting political donations.

Known as the Shadow Shogun for his backroom power, he has been suspended from the party, a decision Mr Kaieda has hinted he may review, the BBC's Roland Buerk in Toyko reports.

The favourite with the public is Seiji Maehara, a former foreign minister, who would become Japan's youngest leader since World War II if elected.

Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Farm Minister Michihiko Kano and former Transport Minister Sumio Mabuchi are also in the contest.