Junior Japanese lawmakers emerge as force in wide-open PM race

A candidate for the presidential election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Taro Kono, the cabinet minister in charge of vaccinations, meets with LDP lawmaker Tatsuo Fukuda during their discussion meeting in Tokyo, Japan September 21, 2021, in this photo taken by Kyodo. Picture taken September 21, 2021. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

TOKYO (Reuters) - A group of junior lawmakers has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in Japan's ruling party leadership contest, facing off with party barons in the wide-open race for votes on Wednesday, which will also determine the premiership.

Many of the 90-strong members of the grouping, who rode into power on the coat-tails of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, fear losses in a general election within months of the leadership race, and chafe at party customs, including the weakening but still present grip of old guard factions.