Ishiba postpones candidacy for Japan PM... Kono, leading in approval ratings, steps up support

▲Shigeru Ishiba, former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] In the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election, which will decide Japan's next prime minister, former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, who was considered a candidate for the next prime minister, has reportedly decided to withhold his candidacy.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 14th, Ishiba has firmly decided to withhold his candidacy for the leadership election and is reportedly coordinating to support Taro Kono, Minister in charge of Administrative Reform, instead.

The Yomiuri reported that Ishiba is expected to express this position at the faction meeting held on the 15th.

In recent opinion polls conducted by major Japanese media, Kono and Ishiba were ranked first and second as the most suitable candidates for the next Japanese prime minister, so their alliance is expected to influence the outcome.

From Kono's perspective, Ishiba's support is likely to help secure a majority in the first round of voting without a runoff.

The vote involves LDP members of parliament (383 votes) and party members/supporters (383 votes).

If a candidate secures a majority, they are immediately elected; if no candidate obtains a majority, a runoff is held between the top two candidates.

▲Taro Kono, Minister in charge of Administrative Reform [Image source=Yonhap News]

In the runoff, the number of votes from members of parliament remains unchanged, but the votes from party members/supporters decrease to 47, which sometimes results in the second-place candidate in the first round winning the election.

Kono met Ishiba at the Japanese parliament the day before to request his support.

After the meeting, Ishiba did not clearly state whether he would respond to Kono's request, but positively evaluated Kono's plan for the entire party to unite for the general election, calling the meeting "a very meaningful time" to reporters.

Ishiba has run for the party leadership four times in the past but has never been elected.

He was considering running this time as well, but with Kono's declaration of candidacy, concerns have been raised that Ishiba's strength in securing party member votes might be compromised.

So far, three candidates have declared their candidacy for the leadership election: besides Kono, former Chairman of the Policy Research Council Fumio Kishida and former Minister of Internal Affairs Sanae Takaichi.

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