Ahead of Japan's LDP Presidential Election... Kono Requests Cooperation from Ishiba

If Successful, Coalition Between Poll Leaders in 1st and 2nd Place

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] As the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election to choose the successor to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who has announced his resignation, heats up with fierce competition among candidates, Taro Kono, the Minister for Administrative Reform and the frontrunner in opinion polls, reportedly requested cooperation from Shigeru Ishiba, the former Secretary-General and the runner-up, Kyodo News reported on the 13th.

According to the report, Taro Kono visited the National Diet on the day and went to Shigeru Ishiba’s parliamentary office, proposing cooperation by saying, "There will be a House of Representatives election after the leadership election. If I become prime minister, I want to build a united party structure." It was reported that Shigeru Ishiba did not give an immediate response to Kono’s proposal.

Prior to this meeting, Minister Kono appeared on a TBS program and regarding the possibility of an alliance with Shigeru Ishiba, he said, "If someone shares my views, I would accept support from anyone," indicating that he did not rule out the possibility.

Shigeru Ishiba ranks second in opinion polls following Minister Kono but has not yet decided whether to run in the leadership election. After the meeting, he told reporters, "There is not much time left. I want to think more deeply and come to a conclusion," withholding further comment.

Meanwhile, as the leadership election approaches, the vote competition among candidates is intensifying. On the same day, former Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Kishida and former Minister of Internal Affairs Sanae Takaichi also engaged in activities to secure support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.