Conservative Taro Aso set to be Japan’s PM [September 22 2008]

Conservative Taro Aso was upbeat about becoming Japan’s prime minister Monday as the ruling party prepared to pick a new leader to steer Asia’s biggest economy away from the brink of recession.

Aso, 68, an outspoken former foreign minister who supports public spending to revive the economy, is bidding to replace Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who stepped down three weeks ago amid plunging approval ratings.