TOKYO (Reuters) – A former minister in Japan's ruling party set up a new policy group on Wednesday, a move that could help position him as a possible contender to replace unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan if Kan quits.

Kazuhiro Haraguchi, a former internal affairs minister who sharply criticized the Kan government in a recent magazine article, may well be hoping to replace Kan although some analysts have questioned how viable his candidacy would be.
“With the government in such a difficult situation, I believe I need to train those who share my views,” Haraguchi told reporters.
More than 80 lawmakers and their aides attended the meeting, where Haraguchi called for more autonomy for regional areas and hinted at tie-ups with charismatic local mayors and governors.
Kan has seen public support for his government fall to around 20 percent on doubts about his leadership after policy flipflops and perceived diplomatic missteps.
Besides difficulties in winning opposition support for passing budget bills through a divided parliament and sagging support rates, Kan also faces pressure from within his own party to step down, including from allies of party powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa, who has been indicted over a funding scandal.
Haraguchi, 51, studied at the same political leadership school as Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara that embraces free-market policies and is known for his calls to shift policy responsibilities away from the central government and more to regions.