国际英语新闻：Kan to face Ozawa in ruling DPJ presidential election

TOKYO, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Tuesday evening held talks with former Democratic Party of Japan ( DPJ) Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa, aiming at discussing ways the two political heavyweights can cooperate in governing the country despite going head-to-head in the Sept. 14 DPJ leadership election.

Having failed to convince Ozawa to give up the leadership battle, with the party's former No. 2 reiterating his intention to run against Kan, despite the possible split it could cause within the ruling party, the two met for their first face-to-face meeting since the DPJ failed to consolidate their power in the Upper House election on July 14.

"As I have said before, I have decided that although I am unworthy I would like to take part (in the race) with everyone's support," Ozawa told a news conference at party headquarters.

The meeting followed former prime minister Yukio Hatoyama's efforts to mediate the spat between Kan and Ozawa resulting in damage control and calling a meeting between the two in the belief that it would be in the best interests of both camps and the fragmented unity of the DPJ if the pair can find room to cooperate in the county's governance.

The pro-Ozawa faction in the DPJ consists of 150 lawmakers, more than a third of the party's tally of 412. Hatoyama, who leads the second-largest faction in the party with about 60 members also pulled away from Kan to support Ozawa and many of Ozawa's supporters stand by his decision to run against Kan for the top party post.

Former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said he will back Ozawa in the race.