Multiple sources within the ruling party have revealed that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Digital Minister Fumio Kishida To Step Down”>Taro Kono, and former Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba will be announcing their candidacies for the LDP presidential election set for September. The number of lawmakers, including members of the Cabinet, expressing their intentions to run for party presidency has surpassed 10 as of Saturday.
Hayashi, aged 63, is a member of the Kishida faction, which has decided to dissolve itself. It is widely anticipated that he will succeed Prime Minister and LDP President Fumio Kishida, who recently announced that he will not seek reelection. Hayashi is expected to secure the necessary endorsements from 20 LDP lawmakers in order to run in the election.
Kono, aged 61, belongs to the Aso faction, which consists of 54 members. LDP Vice President Taro Aso has given his approval for Kono’s candidacy, and it is believed that he will secure endorsements mainly from members of the Aso faction. Kono has actively reached out to gather further support by making phone calls on Saturday.
Concerning endorsements, Ishiba aged 67 reportedly informed his close aides of his intention to announce his candidacy on Saturday expressing confidence in securing the necessary endorsements. If he proceeds as planned this will mark Ishiba’s fifth bid for presidency.
Former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi aged 49 will hold a press conference as early as Monday to officially declare his candidacy.
Members from reorganized Motegi faction now operating as a policy group have also shown interest in running for party presidency. Toshimitsu Motegi aged 68 faction leader and LDP Secretary General and Katsunobu Kato aged 68 former Chief Cabinet Secretary have both expressed their willingness to assume position.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa aged 71 member of Kishida faction informed Kishida her intention to compete for party presidency on Saturday.
As for Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi aged 43 he has not yet made his position clear however an increasing number of party members anticipate his entry into race.
