TOKYO: Former Japanese economic security minister KOBAYASHI Takayuki will announce on Monday his candidacy in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election in September, informed sources said Saturday.

Kobayashi, 49, has support from middle-ranking and young lawmakers from the LDP faction once led by the late Prime Minister ABE Shinzo and those not affiliated with any party factions.

“I will listen to the voices of my colleagues and make my own decision,” he said during his visit to Tsubame, Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa, 63, has conveyed his intention to run for LDP presidency to succeed Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio to some fellow lawmakers from the Kishida faction.

Hayashi aims to announce his candidacy shortly after further coordination with faction members, the sources said. Some executives of the Kishida faction are calling for fielding Hayashi in the race.

Known for his policy expertise, Hayashi has served as defense, education and foreign minister. Before switching to the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament, he was elected to the House of Councillors, the upper chamber, five times.

“Hayashi and Kishida are the two faces of the Kishida faction,” a lawmaker from the faction said.

Kishida said on Wednesday that he will not seek re-election as LDP president and step down as prime minister after the leadership election.

Also from the Kishida faction, Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko, 71, has started collecting recommendations from 20 LDP lawmakers to meet a condition for joining the race, seeking support mainly from members of a parliamentarian group for promoting policies for women chaired by Kamikawa.

Kamikawa drew criticism for a remark about women’s power in a local election campaign speech in May. She may struggle to garner enough recommendations given strong expectations for Hayashi in the Kishida faction.

The LDP will decide on Tuesday whether to hold the election on Sept. 20 or 27.

It will be the first LDP leadership race since Kishida announced in January his decision to disband his faction in response to a public outcry against a slush funds scandal at the party.

Other lawmakers who have shown their willingness to run include former LDP Secretary-General ISHIBA Shigeru, 67, former Chief Cabinet Secretary KATO Katsunobu, 68, digital transformation minister KONO Taro, 61, economic security minister TAKAICHI Sanae, 63, and Secretary-General MOTEGI Toshimitsu, 68.

Former Environment Minister KOIZUMI Shinjiro, 43, has not made clear whether to join the race. But some want him to run, citing his name recognition and youthfulness.

JIJI Press