LDP bigwig Aoki won't run in upper house election, may retire

LDP bigwig Aoki won't run in upper house election, may retire

MATSUE, Japan - Kazuhiko Aoki, the eldest son and secretary of veteran Liberal Democratic Party upper house member Mikio Aoki, speaks about his father's intention not to run in the House of Councillors election this summer due to poor health in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, on May 15, 2010. Regarded as an influential member of the upper house during the LDP's long rule, Mikio Aoki served as chief Cabinet secretary from 1999 to 2000 in the governments of prime ministers Keizo Obuchi and Yoshiro Mori.

LDP candidate Aoki stumping in Shimane

LDP candidate Aoki stumping in Shimane

TOKYO, Japan - Kazuhiko Aoki, a candidate for the July 11 House of Councillors election running on the ticket of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, shakes hands with supporters at a stump stop in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, on June 24, 2010. Aoki is seeking to secure the seat of his ailing father and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki in the prefecture dubbed ''an LDP kingdom.'' (Kyodo)

LDP bigwig Aoki won't run in upper house election, may retire

LDP bigwig Aoki won't run in upper house election, may retire

MATSUE, Japan - Kazuhiko Aoki, the eldest son and secretary of veteran Liberal Democratic Party upper house member Mikio Aoki, speaks about his father's intention not to run in the House of Councillors election this summer due to poor health in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, on May 15, 2010. Regarded as an influential member of the upper house during the LDP's long rule, Mikio Aoki served as chief Cabinet secretary from 1999 to 2000 in the governments of prime ministers Keizo Obuchi and Yoshiro Mori. (Kyodo)