Members of Japan’s largest opposition party have chosen Noda Yoshihiko as their new leader.
He served as prime minster between 2011 and 2012.
The Constitutional Democratic Party held a special convention on Monday in Tokyo to select its leadership. Four candidates ran in the contest.
Noda came out ahead after defeating former party president Edano Yukio in a run-off.
Diet lawmakers, local assembly and general party members as well as supporters cast votes.
The 67-year-old Noda has been elected nine times in the Lower House since 1993. He is from Chiba Prefecture, next to Tokyo. Noda served as prime minister under the now defunct Democratic Party of Japan after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Noda has called for a change of government and maximizing the number of seats held by the opposition parties.
He says he wants to establish a Pacific Charter to ensure regional prosperity and peace, with Japan and the United States playing a central role.