Shinzo Abe is expected to be re-elected head of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party easily, with the vast majority of lawmakers behind him.

Shigeru Ishiba, 61, announced his candidacy on Friday for a Liberal Democratic Party presidential election expected on September 20.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's support has fallen 9.4 points to 39.3%, according to a survey by Jiji news agency, as suspicion swirls over a suspected cover-up linked to cronyism, Abe's worst crisis since taking office.

Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso have come under fresh pressure over the ministry's admission this week that it had altered documents related to the sale of state-owned land at a steep discount to a school operator with ties to Abe's wife, Akie.

A Doha Criminal Court has sentenced a man to five years in jail and a fine of QR200,000 for illicit drugs consumption and trading.