Two candidates from the ruling Democratic Party of Japan are vying to become the country's next prime minister, following the abrupt resignation of Yukio Hatoyama. The BBC profiles the two rivals.Mr Kan became deputy prime minister when Yukio Hatoyama swept to power in September.He was also appointed to head the National Strategy Bureau, a new body charged with wresting control of policy-making from the powerful bureaucracy. In a news conference where he announced his candidacy, he emphasised his ordinary background.
"I grew up in a typical Japanese salaryman's family. I've had no special connections," he said.
"If I can take on a major role starting from such an ordinary background, that would be a very positive thing for Japanese politics."
Mr Tarutoko, 50, is something of an unknown quantity to Japanese voters - and certainly the underdog in this race.An economics graduate from Osaka university, he represents the city's 12th district in parliament.He currently heads the DPJ's environment committee in the lower house.Not much is known about his policies. He has called for a rise in consumption tax to be delayed until after the general election in 2013.
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