Japan's new prime minister takes over on Monday

The race to take the prime minister seat begins after Japan Prime Minister Naoto Kan resigned Friday.

Kan's reign over Japan has gained tons of criticisms brought about by people's dissatisfaction over the prime ministers "slow and incompetent" response to the March 11 earthquake-tsunami incident.

On Monday, a new leader will be elected through public opinion polls and Kan said he will leave his post immediately after a new prime minister is elected. Meanwhile, among those who are racing for the position, former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara seems to get the most public favor.

Maehara, 49, became famous after taking a firm stand toward Beijing throughout a territorial argument last year over some borderline islands in the East China Sea. Maehara said, "This is not just a party leadership election. We must deliver our message to the people."

Maehara or whoever wins will be the country's next prime minister, the 6th in the span of five years.

Meanwhile, members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan will meet this weekend to talk about the turn-over. — ARA