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Summary
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan won the presidential election of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) on Tuesday to remain as the country's leader. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has survived a party leadership challenge from veteran lawmaker Ichiro Ozawa. Lawmakers and members of the governing Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) elected to retain Mr Kan by a margin of 721 points to 491. His victory means that Japan will be spared a sixth leadership change in four years. Mr Kan, who took office in June, has said he wants to reign in spending and curb Japan's massive public debt. As his victory was confirmed, the yen hit a new 15-year high against the dollar. Kan, 63, who took office three months ago, and rival Ozawa, 68, who has been in parliament for 40 years, have clashed over economic policies.
