TOKYO:  Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI Yoshimasa and economic security minister TAKAICHI Sanae are expected to announce their respective bids for the presidency of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party next week, sources close to them said Thursday.

Hayashi is expected to meet on Friday with fellow members of an LDP faction formerly led by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio and decide when to announce his candidacy. He is coordinating to hold a press conference as early as Tuesday.

Takaichi held talks with LDP lawmakers who support her on Wednesday night and informed them of her intention to run in the Sept. 27 party leadership election. She is said to have secured 20 nominations necessary to run in the election.

More than 10 people, including the two, have emerged as potential candidates to replace Kishida, who has said he will not seek re-election as LDP president, meaning that he will step down after the party election.

Hayashi first ran for the LDP presidency in 2012, and the upcoming leadership election will be his second. He is currently a member of the House of Representatives, having served five terms in the House of Councillors.

Known for his familiarity with a wide range of policy areas, Hayashi served as minister of defense, agriculture, education and foreign affairs before becoming chief cabinet secretary.

Currently as the government’s top spokesman, he holds daily press briefings. But he still needs to raise his name recognition among the public, observers say.

Takaichi, a vocal conservative, ran in the previous party leadership election in 2021, backed by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. After Abe’s death in 2022, it is unclear how much support she can garner from party members.

JIJI Press