Japan LDP to hold leadership election on Sept. 27

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Japan LDP to hold leadership election on Sept. 27

Japan LDP to hold leadership election on Sept. 27

The official campaign period was set at 15 days, instead of the more common 12 days, in order to display to the public that the party is undergoing reform following a slush funds scandal. (AFP)

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20 Aug 2024 12:08:50 GMT9

TOKYO: Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party decided Tuesday to hold its upcoming leadership election on Sept. 27.

The LDP’s presidential election administrative committee, headed by Ichiro Aisawa, decided to start on Sept. 12 the official campaign period for the race to succeed current LDP President and Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, who made a surprise announcement last week that he will step down without seeking re-election as party leader.

The official campaign period was set at 15 days, instead of the more common 12 days, in order to display to the public that the party is undergoing reform following a slush funds scandal. It will be the longest campaign period since the current rules were introduced in 1995.

“The LDP has people who are well versed in various policies,” Toshimitsu Motegi, the party’s secretary-general, told a press conference. He said it was good that a long period of time has been secured so that speeches and debates by candidates will surely be delivered to party members and the public.

There had been a proposal to begin the campaign period on Sept. 5 and hold the vote on Sept. 20, but the committee decided to schedule the election for after Kishida returns from a mulled visit to the United States for this year’s general debate of the U.N. General Assembly that will begin Sept. 24.

Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, has already declared his bid, while former LDP Secretary-General ISHIBA Shigeru, 67, is seen announcing his decision to throw his hat in the ring as early as Thursday and Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa, 63, within this week at the earliest.

Digital transformation minister KONO Taro, 61, is preparing to launch a bid Monday.

Other names being floated as possible candidates include Motegi, 68, former Environment Minister KOIZUMI Shinjiro, 43, Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA Yoko, 71, industry minister SAITO Ken, 65, economic security minister TAKAICHI Sanae, 63, former Chief Cabinet Secretary KATO Katsunobu, 68, and former internal affairs minister NODA Seiko, 63.

JIJI Press

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