Ex-PM Shinzo Abe elected Japan opposition leader
Japan's opposition Liberal Democratic Party has chosen Shinzo Abe to be its new leader, potentially positioning him to become the next prime minister.
Mr Abe defeated former defence chief Shigeru Ishiba by 108 votes to 89 in a second-round run-off.
A former prime minister, he is known as conservative who has called for a tough stance towards China.
The vote comes with polls expected in coming months and the ruling Democratic Party (DPJ) hit by low public support.
The LDP governed Japan for half a century before it was ousted by the DPJ in 2009.
Three other candidates contested the leadership - Nobuteru Ishihara, son of Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, Nobutaka Machimura, the former foreign minister, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, another former defence minister.
Shinzo Abe succeeded Junichiro Koizumi as prime minister in September 2006 but stood down less than a year later after his party suffered a crushing defeat in upper house elections.
Initially popular, his administration was hit by a series of gaffes and scandals that caused his support to plummet.
His leadership win comes as the DPJ government, led by Yoshihiko Noda, faces low poll ratings.
Mr Noda's government is currently grappling with a territorial dispute with China.
It is also trying to win public support for a hike in sales tax aimed at reducing public debt.
It is also tackling the problem of formulating an energy policy in a nation where anti-nuclear sentiment is running high.