LDP Leadership Race Heats Up in Japan as Candidates Scramble for Endorsements

Motegi and Hayashi Announce Candidacy Intentions
Polls Highlight Koizumi and Takaichi as Leading Contenders

With Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressing his intention to resign after just 11 months in office, the race for leadership within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is heating up. Prominent LDP politicians are rapidly declaring their intentions to run in the party's presidential election.

According to Kyodo News and other sources on September 8, Toshimitsu Motegi, former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, met with reporters at the National Diet and announced his intention to run in the party leadership election, stating, "I will dedicate everything I have, drawing on my diverse experience in both the party and government."

Toshimitsu Motegi, former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party. Yonhap News Agency

He was the first to declare his candidacy following Prime Minister Ishiba's announcement of resignation the previous day.

Motegi, who has previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Minister for Economic Revitalization, ran in last September's LDP leadership race but finished sixth out of nine candidates. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) evaluated, "He has extensive experience in economic and foreign policy, but raising his public profile will be a challenge."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has also announced his intention to run, according to Kyodo. Serving as government spokesperson in the Ishiba Cabinet, Hayashi told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office, "I will consult closely with colleagues I have previously fought alongside."

Hayashi has held positions such as Minister of Defense, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Minister for Foreign Affairs. In last year's leadership election, he finished fourth.

Takayuki Kobayashi, former Minister for Economic Security, who is also considered a major contender, said on a radio program that day, "We need to build a system for a 'One LDP,'" adding, "I intend to consult with my colleagues about what role I can play."

To run in the LDP presidential election, a candidate needs the endorsement of 20 Diet members. Kyodo News predicted, "Candidates for the 'post-Ishiba' era will be actively working to secure the 20 endorsements required for candidacy."

Japanese media outlets view Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, known as the 'flagbearer of the 40s,' and Sanae Takaichi, former Minister for Economic Security, dubbed the 'female Abe,' as strong candidates in this election. In last year's LDP leadership race, Takaichi topped the first round of voting and advanced to the runoff, while Koizumi placed third in the first round.

In a telephone poll conducted by the private broadcaster news network JNN on September 6-7 with 1,030 respondents, Koizumi and Takaichi each received 19.3% support when asked who would be most suitable as the next prime minister, tying for first place. Among all respondents, 2.2% named Hayashi, while Motegi and Kobayashi each received 0.9%.

Nikkei and other Japanese media predict that if the LDP holds the leadership election in the same manner as last September, the next party leader will be chosen in early October. However, if a simplified process is adopted, the new leader could be selected within this month.