TOKYO: ISHIBA Shigeru, former secretary-general of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, said Sunday that he will announce possibly this week his candidacy in the ruling party’s presidential election in September.

“I’m very close” to securing recommendations from 20 LDP lawmakers, he told reporters, expressing confidence that he will meet the key condition for entering the race. This will be Ishiba’s fifth attempt at the party’s top post.

“Since some people have newly expressed their willingness to run, it’s necessary to confirm (exactly who endorses me). I want to do that in the first half of this week,” said Ishiba, 67.

He is considering announcing his candidacy in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, his political home turf.

Earlier on Sunday, Ishiba said on television that increasing real wages and establishing a “disaster prevention ministry” as key policies he would implement if he becomes prime minister by winning the LDP election.

Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio last week said that he will not seek re-election as LDP president and will step down after the party picks his successor.

The presidential election is shaping up to be a crowded race with more than 10 names already mentioned, including former economic security minister KOBAYASHI Takayuki, 49.

“I’m grateful that my name has been mentioned,” he told reporters in Yachiyo, Chiba Prefecture, on Sunday. He is expected to hold a press conference Monday to announce his candidacy.

Digital transformation minister KONO Taro, 61, and Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa, 63, have also decided to enter the race.

Other LDP members eager to run include former Chief Cabinet Secretary KATO Katsunobu, 68, Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko, 71, industry minister SAITO Ken, 65, economic security minister TAKAICHI Sanae, 63, former internal affairs minister NODA Seiko, 63, and party Secretary-General MOTEGI Toshimitsu, 68.

Some lawmakers back former Environment Minister KOIZUMI Shinjiro, 43.

JIJI Press