Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has announced his candidacy for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential race. Despite concerns about his lack of political experience, Koizumi has emphasized the importance of teamwork. At a press conference on Friday, he stated his commitment to regulatory reform and rebuilding the LDP as a people’s party. Koizumi called for a review of regulations on layoffs and advocated for fully lifting the ban on ride-sharing services, which he had previously championed.
In addition to these reforms, Koizumi expressed his support for “trinity reforms,” referring to changes in Diet, political funds, and party structures in response to the LDP’s funds scandal. It is worth noting that these phrases were frequently used by his father, former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Shinjiro Koizumi is the younger son of Junichiro Koizumi and previously served as his secretary. When he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2009, he faced criticism for being a “hereditary Diet member.” Some within the party view him as inexperienced due to his limited Cabinet experience as environment minister and involvement in party affairs.
Despite acknowledging his shortcomings, Koizumi has attempted to differentiate himself from other candidates on certain issues. For instance, he has not committed to officially supporting lawmakers involved in the political funds scandal and has proposed allowing married couples to have separate family names – both potentially controversial positions within the party.
However, if Koizumi’s proposed reforms are perceived as heavy-handed, he may face criticism from both inside and outside of the LDP. Recognizing this concern, one young member noted that a divided party would not be able to demonstrate its strength.
As Shinjiro Koizumi enters this presidential race with echoes of his father’s rhetoric and promises of reform through teamwork, it remains uncertain how voters will respond or whether he can overcome doubts about his experience within the LDP ranks.
