Mabuchi Motor has half the world market for tiny electric motors used in electronic gadgets and computer drives.

ECONOMIST: Japan��s growth companies

The remaining two candidates are farm minister Michihiko Kano, 69, and former infrastructure and transport minister Sumio Mabuchi, 51.

BBC: Five candidates battle to succeed Japan PM Naoto Kan

The newspaper also notes that Noda did not give cabinet positions to two opponents of raising taxes, the previous economics minister, Kaieda, and the transportation minister, Mabuchi.

FORBES: Of Sumo and Japanese Government Finances