2024-09-12 02:53:13
By Tim Kelly
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday unveiled the nine candidates who will run in a Sept. 27 leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Here are the leading contenders based on public opinion polls.
SHIGERU ISHIBA, 67
The former defence minister is making his fifth and, he says, final bid to lead a party that has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades.
Ishiba leads in most opinion polls, with 28% of respondents in an NHK survey on Sept. 9 favouring him as Kishida’s successor.
He is alone among the candidates in calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy such as geothermal and supports legislation that would allow female emperors, a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers.
His economic strategy includes boosting wages to counter rising prices and possibly exempting some goods from the Japan’s 10% sales tax to help lower income citizens.
He backs the Bank of Japan’s policy to gradually raise interest rates but has said it is unclear whether the timing is right for any new hikes now.
He has also proposed establishing a disaster management agency to build shelters and wants to improve conditions for military personnel to ensure ageing Japan has enough troops for its defence.
The son of a former prefectural governor and cabinet minister he is a rare Christian in a country dominated by Buddhism and Shinto. He is known for building model ships and planes.
SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 43
The youngest candidate, Koizumi is the son of a former prime minister and heir to a political dynasty that has had a hand in governing Japan for over a century.
He has presented himself as a reformer able to restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would become Japan’s youngest prime minister in eight decades.
Favoured in media polls by younger voters and women, he has promised to call a general election that could see Japanese voters go to the polls before the U.S. presidential vote in November.
Koizumi has promised to accelerate Kishida’s policies to foster dynamic economic growth that can adapt to technological change including the rise of artificial intelligence.
The Columbia University-educated lawmaker has proposed opening up Japan’s regulated taxi market to ride-sharing and is promising financial support for pensioners and low-income households. He has said he will push for higher wages at small and medium-sized companies, while also making it easier for firms to lay off workers.
He supports legislation to allow women to retain their maiden names and wants to allow female emperors despite opposition from many LDP lawmakers. He also backs a revision to Japan’s war-renouncing constitution.
A keen surfer, Koizumi is married to French-Japanese TV personality and one of his brothers, Kotaro Koizumi, is a well known actor in Japan.
SANAE CHILDREN, 63
Representing the LDP’s right wing, Takaichi serves as Japan’s economic security minister. She is the leading female candidate in the race and ran against Kishida in 2021.
She is known for her conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution and is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni war shrine, which is seen by some Asian countries as a symbol of past militarism. She also opposes allowing women to retain their maiden names, arguing that doing so would undermine tradition.
Takaichi courted controversy in 2016 when she suggested the government could revoke broadcasting licences of media companies deemed to be politically biased.
Takaichi said she would prioritize economic growth to strengthen Japan’s international standing, while using ‘strategic spending’ to boost employment and consumer sentiment.
TARO KONO, 61
With the support of rank-and-file LDP members, Kono was a leading leadership candidate three years ago but lost in a run-off to Kishida who had backing from more LDP lawmakers.
This time, Kono, who as digital minister is trying to phase out fax machines, has lagged in opinion polls.
The third generation LDP lawmaker, who was educated at Georgetown University and served as Japan’s foreign minister and defence minister, says his connections would give him an advantage in dealing with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.
Kono says he would reform labour markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers and to help people retrain for higher-wage jobs.
In the campaign he has drawn attention for suggesting that Japan deploy nuclear-powered submarines to guard maritime choke points in the waters around the country.
OTHER CANDIDATES
Shigeru Ishiba, a member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Japan, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Makiko Yamazaki/File Photo” alt=”© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Shigeru Ishiba, a member of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Japan, August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Makiko Yamazaki/File Photo” rel=”external-image”/>
Other candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the secretary-general of the LDP, who has also served as foreign minister and trade and economy minister. Yoko Kamikawa, 71, Japan’s current foreign minister, is also running as well as former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, who at 49 is the second-youngest candidate after Koizumi.
Joining them in the race are Katsunobu Kato, 68, who has served as health and labour minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the current holder of that position, Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, who is also a former defence minister and foreign minister.
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Table of Contents
Comprehensive Article on Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Leadership Election
On September 27, 2024, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will hold a leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The election has drawn significant attention, with nine candidates vying for the top position. In this article, we will delve into the backgrounds, policies, and chances of the leading contenders.
Shigeru Ishiba: The Front-Runner
Shigeru Ishiba, a 67-year-old former defense minister, is leading in public opinion polls, with 28% of respondents supporting him as Kishida’s successor. Ishiba is making his fifth bid to lead the party and has pledged to shift Japan’s energy policy from nuclear power to renewable energy sources like geothermal. He also supports legislation allowing female emperors, a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers. His economic strategy includes boosting wages to counter rising prices and exempting some goods from Japan’s 10% sales tax.
Shinjiro Koizumi: The Young Reformist
Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, is the youngest candidate and son of a former prime minister. He has presented himself as a reformer able to restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would become Japan’s youngest prime minister in eight decades. Koizumi has promised to accelerate Kishida’s policies to foster dynamic economic growth and has proposed opening up Japan’s regulated taxi market to ride-sharing. He also supports legislation allowing women to retain their maiden names and backs a revision to Japan’s war-renouncing constitution.
Sanae Takaichi: The Conservative
Sanae Takaichi, 63, represents the LDP’s right wing and serves as Japan’s economic security minister. She is known for her conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution, and regularly visits the Yasukuni war shrine, seen by some Asian countries as a symbol of past militarism. Takaichi prioritizes economic growth to strengthen Japan’s international standing and has proposed “strategic spending” to boost employment and consumer sentiment.
Taro Kono: The Experienced Lawmaker
Taro Kono, 61, was a leading leadership candidate three years ago but lost to Kishida. This time, Kono, who is trying to phase out fax machines as digital minister, has lagged in opinion polls. He says his connections would give him an advantage in dealing with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Kono proposes reforming labor markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers and to help people retrain for higher-wage jobs.
Other Candidates
Other candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, and several other LDP lawmakers.
Context: Japan’s Political Landscape
The LDP has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades, but the party has faced challenges in recent years, including a slush funds scandal that led to the loss of all three seats in parliamentary by-elections in April 2024 [2]. The party has also struggled with gender equality, with women posting record election wins in the 2021 Japanese general election [3]. The leadership election comes at a crucial time for Japan, as the country faces
Who are the main candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, and what are their key policy proposals?
Japan’s Ruling Liberal Democratic Party Leadership Election: Candidates and their Platforms
On September 27, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will hold a leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has decided to step down. The election has garnered significant attention, with nine candidates vying for the top spot. In this article, we will delve into the candidates’ backgrounds, platforms, and policies, providing an in-depth analysis of the election.
Shigeru Ishiba: The Experienced Contender
Shigeru Ishiba, 67, is a former defense minister and is making his fifth bid to lead the LDP. According to an NHK survey on September 9, Ishiba leads in opinion polls, with 28% of respondents favoring him as Kishida’s successor[[[2]]. Ishiba is the only candidate calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy, such as geothermal energy, and supports legislation that would allow female emperors, a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers. His economic strategy includes boosting wages to counter rising prices and possibly exempting some goods from Japan’s 10% sales tax to help lower-income citizens.
Shinjiro Koizumi: The Young Reformer
Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, is the youngest candidate and the son of a former prime minister. Koizumi has presented himself as a reformer able to restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would become Japan’s youngest prime minister in eight decades. Favoured in media polls by younger voters and women, Koizumi has promised to call a general election that could see Japanese voters go to the polls before the U.S. presidential vote in November.
Sanae Takaichi: The Conservative Candidate
Sanae Takaichi, 63, is the leading female candidate and represents the LDP’s right wing. She is known for her conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution and is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni war shrine, which is seen by some Asian countries as a symbol of past militarism. Takaichi courted controversy in 2016 when she suggested the government could revoke broadcasting licenses of media companies deemed to be politically biased.
Taro Kono: The Experienced Diplomat
Taro Kono, 61, is a third-generation LDP lawmaker and has served as Japan’s foreign minister and defense minister. Kono says his connections would give him an advantage in dealing with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. He has lagged in opinion polls but has promised to reform labor markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers and to help people retrain for higher-wage jobs.
Other Candidates
In addition to these four leading contenders, there are five other candidates vying for the top spot. These include former Education Minister Koichi Hagiuda, former Environment Minister Shinji Inoue, LDP Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, former Trade Minister Isshu Sugawara, and Lower House lawmaker Seiko Noda.
The Election Process
The LDP leadership election will be held on September 27, with voting taking place in two rounds. In the first round, LDP lawmakers and party members will cast ballots. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two candidates will proceed to a runoff vote [[1]].
Conclusion
The LDP leadership election is a significant event in Japanese politics, with the winner set to become the country’s next prime minister. The candidates have presented diverse platforms and policies, ranging from Ishiba’s focus on renewable energy to Koizumi’s promise to restore public trust. As Japan faces various domestic and international challenges, the outcome of this election will have far-reaching implications for the country’s future.
