FOCUS: Opposition's ex-PM Noda may give ruling LDP good fight in election

Expectations are growing that Yoshihiko Noda, the new leader of the main opposition party, could mount a strong challenge in the Oct. 27 general election, as he seeks to win over supporters of the conservative-leaning ruling bloc.Noda, who served as prime minister for around a year until December 2012 when the predecessor of his Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan was in power, has pledged to shift the left-leaning CDPJ toward the center to improve its chances against the Liberal Democratic Party.Analysts say Noda, known as an eloquent lawmaker, has gained popularity among Japan's unaf…READ FULL ARTICLE