InsideJapan News Network

Former Japanese premier Junichiro Koizumi has thrown his weight behind Yuriko Koike in her bid to become the country's first female prime minister.

Taro Aso, the outspoken former foreign minister, is currently the odds-on favourite to take over from Yasuo Fukuda who quit unexpectedly last week, reported Reuters.

Seishiro Eto, who is in charge of Ms Koike's office, revealed the former PM has pledged his support to her.

Ms Koike, 56, told a press conference: "Carrying out reforms will lead to the creation of new industry and employment I still strongly believe Japan needs to press ahead with reform."

The Liberal Democratic Party's tight hold on Japan's parliament means whoever wins the leadership contest on September 22nd is guaranteed to become the country's new prime minister.

At the last election to the House of Representatives in 2005, the Liberal Democratic Party won a total of 219 seats, compared to the opposition Democratic Party of Japan's 52 seats.