Nine Japanese lawmakers have officially entered the race to succeed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as the head of the ruling party and the nation, aiming to rebuild public trust following corruption scandals. The Liberal Democratic Party leadership election on September 27 will involve lawmakers and around 1 million grassroots members. The winning candidate is set to become prime minister due to the governing coalition’s control over parliament. Japan’s increasing involvement in regional security, economics, and diplomacy amid threats from China, North Korea, and Russia is a significant backdrop to the election.
Kishida, who assumed office in 2021 and supported a swift military expansion and doubling of defense funds, announced his resignation last month to pave the way for a new leader to address the fallout from corruption issues. Among the nine candidates, two are women, and a runoff is predicted as no candidate is expected to secure a majority in the initial round. The contenders emphasize their ability to drive reforms on various fronts like Japan’s population decline, economic stagnation, gender disparities, and security challenges.
Various candidates have outlined their strategies for change and progress. Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba highlighted the necessity of safeguarding Japan, proposing an Asian equivalent of NATO to counter regional threats like North Korea’s missile tests. Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pledged to modernize Japan by advocating for reforms such as allowing married women to retain their maiden names, a policy hindered for years by conservative elements within the party.
Digital Minister Taro Kono stressed the importance of Japan playing a more active role in regional security and not relying solely on the US for protection. Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, aiming to become Japan’s first female prime minister, sees her candidacy as a sign of progress within the LDP. The election marks a departure from past leadership contests dominated by factional leaders endorsing candidates, as reforms introduced by Kishida have diversified the pool of candidates, including younger lawmakers.
The remaining candidates in the race are Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Health Minister Katsunobu Kato. The candidates will tour the country to engage with party supporters and participate in debates and speeches in Tokyo as part of their campaign efforts.
