Japan's PM Yoshihiko Noda fends off leadership challenge

Premier Yoshihiko Noda has easily beaten three contenders in a ruling party leadership election and will remain Japan's leader for a while longer.

Mr Noda won 818 points out of a total of 1,231 points in today's vote, suggesting the ruling Democratic Party of Japan has rallied around him.

Mr Noda has been prime minister about a year. He is Japan's sixth leader in six years.

He had been saying he plans to call an election soon, but lately has suggested he intends to stay in office to try to finish tasks he set out to accomplish.