Former bureaucrat Takayuki Kobayashi of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is under consideration as a possible contender in the party’s forthcoming leadership contest. Some party members think that choosing 49-year-old Kobayashi as LDP president will help show that the party has effectively changed itself following a recent political finance controversy.
Kobayashi neither acknowledged nor refuted his plan to participate in the leadership campaign in a recent TV interview. He said, “I’m trying to be in charge of the nation eventually. Right now, I’m emphasizing developing my political capacity. Kobayashi, a seasoned politician, has held many cabinet posts, including economic security minister, and has four House of Representatives elections under her belt.
First surfaced as a potential LDP president in the spring, Kobayashi is a member of the group headed by former Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai. Concerned about their chances for elections during the controversy, younger LDP legislators saw a Kobayashi presidency as a means of demonstrating to voters that the party has changed significantly.
Kobayashi’s name recognition outside of political circles is still poor, though, and he does not score highly in public opinion surveys on the next LDP president. One heavyweight inside the LDP, reflecting the core of Japanese politics, said, “Kobayashi is creating buzz only in Nagatacho and is little known to the public.”
Kobayashi has, however, attracted backing from certain top LDP members, including former Secretary-General Akira Amari, who hailed him as an “outstanding” legislator. However, the party has reservations about allowing Kobayashi to contest the top post. A middle-ranking LDP member cautioned others, saying he “could end up being used as a tool for senior members to exert influence.”
A young LDP member near Kobayashi emphasized the significance of whether middle-ranking and young members can support Kobayashi without being excessively swayed by party veterans. Though thoughts on Kobayashi’s candidacy differ inside the LDP, his possible place in the party’s leadership contest keeps people talking.
