Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has made an announcement stating that he will not be participating in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) presidential election, scheduled for September. During a press conference on Wednesday, Kishida emphasized the need for the ruling party to demonstrate its readiness for change. He stated, ”In this election, we must clearly show the people a new LDP, one that is ready to change.”
Recent surveys conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper indicate that support for Kishida’s government has remained low at around 20% over the past nine months. This decline in popularity can be attributed in part to a hidden funds scandal that has affected various factions within the party.
Despite initial speculation suggesting that Kishida had a good chance of winning due to weak competition, he ultimately decided not to run. He believes it is crucial for the party’s leader to take responsibility for ongoing issues such as the “money-and-politics” scandal. Kishida expressed his view by stating, “We can’t move forward with our policies unless the public supports us.”
Attention now turns towards identifying who will succeed Kishida as both leader of LDP and prime minister. Potential candidates who could inject new energy into the party include former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi. Koizumi has emphasized major reforms as necessary steps towards demonstrating genuine commitment to change; however, his lack of affiliation with any specific faction within LDP may pose challenges in garnering internal support.
Other experienced politicians like Toshimitsu Motegi and Shigeru Ishiba have also expressed interest in running. Motegi currently serves as Secretary General of LDP and hopes to secure backing from within the party given his extensive experience holding significant positions. Ishiba acknowledges that obtaining required support may prove difficult but believes his popularity among members of public could work in his favor.
Furthermore, there are candidates such as Taro Kono, Sanae Takaichi, and Seiko Noda who are advocating for reforms. Some aspire to make history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister; however, it remains uncertain whether they will garner sufficient support necessary for achieving this milestone.
