Who will lead Japan as the next Prime Minister?
On September 27, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will vote for its new leader, the winner of which will replace Fumio Kishida as Japan's prime minister, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The winner of the LDP's leadership election on Sept. 27 is certain to become prime minister, given that both houses of parliament are controlled by the ruling coalition. The new premier must be endorsed by both chambers. Of the nine candidates vying for Kishida's position, three have a good chance.
Koizumi Shinjiro - the youngest candidate (43 years old)
Shinjiro Koizumi previously served as Minister of the Environment from 2019 to 2021. His father, Junichiro Koizumi, was Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006 and was known as a reformer. Koizumi has promised to immediately dissolve parliament for snap elections if he wins the LDP election. He is also considering introducing social reforms.
Polls indicate that Koizumi is well-liked among ordinary LDP members. However, his inexperience raises concerns, particularly after some missteps and his limited time in the ministry. Despite this, his support within the LDP makes him one of the frontrunners in the election. He already has the support of party heavyweight and former prime minister Yoshihide Suga.
Sanae Takaichi - conservative politician (63 years old)
Sanae Takaichi, if elected, would be Japan's first female leader. She has positioned herself as the ideological heir to Abe Shinzo. Takaichi often cites Margaret Thatcher as an example. She supports expansionary fiscal and monetary policies, aggressive diplomacy, and a continuation of Abenomics-style policies. She has also promised to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, where the spirits of Japanese war dead, including war criminals, are buried.
Despite her support within the party, her right-wing views and association with former members of the faction implicated in the corruption scandal could complicate her chances as leader.
Shigeru Ishiba – a veteran of many campaigns (67 years old)
Shigeru Ishiba is a seasoned politician and veteran of the LDP, who is seeking the party leadership for the fifth time. His main mentor was Tanaka Kakuei, an influential figure in post-war Japan who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1972 to 1974.
Ishiba is known for his integrity, honesty, and commitment to reform and transparency, making him popular with voters but less so in the parliament - he is known as a perennial outsider due to his refusal to follow Abe's policies.
He advocates moderate economic reforms and changes to the social system, and in the security sphere he seeks a more equal relationship with the United States and a constructive relationship with China.
The other candidates are former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, former top government spokesman Katsunobu Kato, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi and Digital Minister Taro Kono.
