the two choices were the incumbent yoshihiko noda, who heads the democratic party, or shinzo abe, leader of the opposition's liberal democratic party. 21% of respondents chose noda. 26% favored abe. but almost half, or 49%, said they wanted neither. >>> japan's top government spokesperson says officials are gathering information in anticipation of a possible missile launch by north korea. u.s. satellite images indicate north korea recently transported what are thought to be long-range ballistic missile parts. japan chief cabinet secretary osamu fujimura says his government closely monitors missile-related activities in north korea. >> translator: we will work harder to gather and analyze information and will continue to take thorough measures to secure the peace and safety of the country. >> fujimura denied that north korea's recent action will have immediate impact on talks between the two countries. he said they're making preparations for the next round of talks. >>> a u.n. human rights expert says the japanese government should do more to protect the health of people affected by the f

asked who they would prefer as prime minister between the incumbent yoshihiko noda and ldp leader shinzo abe. 20% chose noda against 27% for abe. 48% said neither would do. >>> chinese authorities are investigating an incident that highlights the social tension bubbling below the surface in that country. hundreds of people in the southern city of fuan clashed with police over a traffic accident saturday, two days after china's new leadership took power. local media say a man without a license drove a car into several vehicles and motorcycles. no one died, but five people were reported injured. bystanders and drivers who were involved in the accident fought with police. they overturned three police vehicles. authorities brought the situation under control by the end of the day. the associated press quoted one resident who said people became upset because police and paramedics took nearly an hour to arrive to help the injured. however, media in hong kong report anger over police corruption triggered the riot. the city of fuan is in fujian province. new chinese leader xi jinping worked as a

minister noda will be going head to head with the leader of the main opposition liberal democrats shinzo abe who once held noda's job. he and his party are eager to get back into power. >> translator: we'll regain economic strength, a strong economy will serve as the basis of a reliable social security system. we'll also reestablish diplomatic relations. we'll make relations with the united states more reliable. the japan/u.s. alliance has been weakened under the democratic party government. >> abe says the liberal democratic party is well prepared for the election. he says it has reviewed its principles and streamlined its policies. >>> yoshihiko noda is the third prime minister to lead japan since the democratic party took power. he's been in the job for a little more than a year. here's a look at some of the challenges he faced. >> reporter: yoshihiko noda replaced the prime minister who lost support over his handling of the fukushima power plant accident. overseas media focused on the fact that noda was japan's sixth prime minister in five years and questioned whether he could form a

shinzo abe once held noda's job. he and his party are eager to get back into power. >> translator: we'll regain economic strength. a strong economy will serve as the basis of a reliable social security system. we'll also reestablish diplomatic relations. we'll make relations with the united states more reliable. the japan/u.s. alliance has been weakened under the democratic party government. >> abe says the liberal democratic party is well prepared for the election. he says it has reviewed its principles and streamlined its policies. there were mixed reactions from people around japan. >> translator: we are suffering so much in fukushima since last year's disaster. i don't understand why politicians cannot work together. >> translator: fukushima is slowly but steadily moving forward in its recovery. it would be regrettable if the momentum slows in the coming weeks. >> translator: i've been looking for a job for two months. i just want the government to create more jobs. >> a business leader expressed his hopes. >> tr

. >> one of noda's main opponents, liberal democratic party leader shinzo abe said nuclear power should not be a matter of black or white. >> translator: after experiencing such a severe nuclear accident, we've all decided that japan should depend on nuclear power as little as possible. but the ldp's position is not to simply say let's go nuclear-free. that's because we're a responsible party. >> abe said the real issue is how to secure enough electricity. he added it would be unreasonable to rely on renewable energy sources as they have yet to be fully developed. the leader of the newly formed tomorrow party, yukiko kada, called for an end to nuclear power generation within a decade. she added her party would push for electricity conservation measures and the development of alternative sources of energy. japan restoration party leader and former tokyo governor shintaro ishihara said people who talk about reducing nuclear power should think first about the country's energy mix. he called for simulations to determine whether japan can afford to shut down its nuclear plants. >>> official

take, for example, shinzo abe, who is the president of the liberal democratic party. he is suggesting that several unorthodox measures be taken by the boj, including the direct underwriting of jgbs, as you can see on the screen. he says, we, the government, would conduct necessary public investment, possibly have the boj buy all construction bonds. now, in response, the prime minister of japan, yoshihiko noda, he's conservative. he emphasizes fiscal discipline as it is also seen on the screen, and as well the independence of the central bank. so mr. taya, as a former policy board member, what is your take on these debates, and -- what is your take on these debates? >> well, actually, the new government which is going to be formed next month is not likely to force the bank of japan to underwrite newly issued government bonds, which is prohibited by the fiscal. i think any amendment to one of the most fundamental laws like fiscal law is not likely to be changed easily. so i do not expect the bank -- i mean the government is going to force the bank to comply with the pre

shinzo abe once held noda's job. he and his party are eager to get back into power. >> translator: we'll regain economic strength. a strong economy will serve as the basis of a reliable social security system. we'll also reestablish diplomatic relations. we'll make relations with the united states more reliable. the japan/u.s. alliance has been weakened under the democratic party government. >> abe says the liberal democratic party is well prepared for the election. he says it has reviewed its principles and streamlined its policies. there were mixed reactions from people around japan. >> translator: we are suffering so much in fukushima since last year's disaster. i don't understand why politicians cannot work together. >> translator: fukushima is slowly but steadily is moving forward in its recovery. it would be regrettable if the momentum slows in the coming weeks. >> translator: i've been looking for a job for two months. i just want the government to create more jobs. >> a business leader expressed his hopes. >>

their general elections as well the liberal democratic party has nominated former prime minister shinzo it for the job again here's a clip of him explaining how he wants to improve japan's economy. the economy is going to struggle. for hard. to solve these problems creates a strong. fluid. which basically means printing unlimited until they reach the target for inflation. i should also say i see. a. thing it's also really leaving aside some of the other issues with monetary policy it's really also stupid to want to say well we have to bring a stronger part of japan and everyone could be an exporter. we definitely an export forever and have a. forever someone else is going to be buying those goods and eventually going to china did which is you finance the people that you're selling to eventually you're going to like to have assets that are worthless because you've got bonds of people who can't pay them back so like it's just all part of this that's going to work yeah. this is not completely related but what struck me is monetary policy was being discussed at their debate we didn't have a