TOKYO – Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has launched a two-week campaign, starting Thursday, to choose a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Nine candidates are in the running, each aiming to restore public confidence following a political funds scandal.
The LDP presidential election, slated for Sept. 27, features prominent contenders, including Shigeru Ishiba, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Taro Kono. All three addressed the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ), where they presented their platforms and made their case for leadership. The victor will not only helm the party but also become Japan’s next leader.
Shigeru Ishiba, 67
A member of the House of Representatives and a former defense minister, he is making his fifth and final bid for the LDP presidency. He cited the party’s “worsening” situation and the erosion of public trust as key drivers of his candidacy. He emphasized the importance of learning from the war in Ukraine, improving Japan’s disaster preparedness through his proposed creation of a Ministry of Disaster Prevention, and tackling issues like economic reform, reversing population decline, and revitalizing local regions.
“Trying to regain trust in politics means that the policies we initiate need to be trusted and understood by the people,” he said.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63
Currently serving as Chief Cabinet Secretary, and a former defense and foreign minister, he stressed the need for transparency and the elimination of “gray zones” surrounding political funds. Running for the second time after his 2012 bid, he highlighted the importance of solidifying Japan’s defense and foreign policy to safeguard national security.
“I believe we need a very experienced manager in the country now—that’s why I’m running for the presidency of the LDP,” he stated.
Taro Kono, 61
A nine-term member of the House of Representatives, he has held several key ministerial posts, including foreign, defense, deregulation, vaccine, and currently digital minister. In his third bid for party leadership, he underscored the need for strengthening Japan’s bilateral security cooperation with the U.S. and promoting a collective defense strategy with like-minded nations. He also advocated for Japan developing its own non-nuclear deterrence capabilities.
“No nation can defend itself alone; we need allies to maintain stability and peace in the region,” he asserted.
Other hopefuls include former Health Minister Katsunobu Kato, 68; former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, 49; former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43; former Economic Security Chief Sanae Takaichi, 63; former Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa, 71; and LDP Secretary General and former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, 68. - Florenda Corpuz
(From left: Yoshimasa Hayashi, Shigeru Ishiba, and Taro Kono)
