Candidates Announce Candidacy

Less than a week to the start of campaign, some candidates announced their candidacy for the presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party on September 16th. Following former Secretary General Toshimutsu Motegi, former Minister on Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi officially announced his running for the president. Other two ministers of Shigeru Ishiba Cabinet revealed their intention to run. The LDP gradually headed to internal struggle over next president, who is supposed to take seat of next prime minister. 

A possible candidate for LDP president usually takes two steps to announce the candidacy. First, he or she reveals “intention” to run for the president to the press. Second, he or she holds press conference to officially announce the candidacy with policies to implement as the president, or the prime minister. The candidate often introduces the member of the campaign team. A candidate needs twenty lawmakers in the LDP who support the candidate. 

 

Kobayashi held the press conference for official announcement on September 16th. As a candidate in the age of 50, representing young generation, Kobayashi upheld policies for young generation, including income tax cut. His team is headed by former Minister of Defense, Yasukazu Hamada, who is elected from Chiba, the same prefecture as Kobayashi.

 

On the same day, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Shinjiro Koizumi, showed his intention to run, revealing that he had told his candidacy to his supporters in his hometown, Yokosuka. Although official announcement will be later this week, it is surprising that Minister of Finance, Katsunobu Kato, will lead Koizumi’s team, instead of running for the president.

 

Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, also told his intention to run in his regular press conference. As a core member of Ishiba Cabinet, Hayashi insisted on succeeding policies of Ishiba administration. Supporters for Hayashi consist of lawmakers with former Kishiba faction, supposedly with backing of Kishida himself. He is expected to have another press conference to publicize his policies.

 

Former Minister on Economic Security, Sanae Takaichi, is expected to officially announce her bid for the president later this week. She mainly receives supports from the conservative lawmakers who were frustrated with Ishiba administration. Reiterating a phrase of “rebuild backbone of the party,” Takaichi hopes to restore the cause of conservatives, which gained momentum in the time of former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

 

Race by those five candidates is expected to be led by Takaichi and Koizumi. As the election is supposed to go into a run-off, how the votes for losers in the first round will move will be the key for each candidate. Prime Minister Ishiba steps down, facing anti-Ishiba movements. It is possible that the race for next president can be the match between moderate powers for reintegration of the party and conservative anti-Ishiba groups.

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