Japan's ruling party to elect Kishida successor on Sept. 27

By AJU PRESS Posted : August 20, 2024, 15:18 Updated : August 20, 2024, 15:18
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announces he would not seek reelection in a press conference held on August 14 2024 in his official residence Tokyo AFP - Yonhap
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announces he would not seek reelection, in a press conference at his official residence, on Aug. 14, 2024. Tokyo AFP-Yonhap
SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) announced on Tuesday that it will hold its presidential election on Sept. 27 to choose a successor to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who unexpectedly declared last week he would not seek reelection, Kyodo News reported.

The LDP, which controls both houses of parliament, has set a 15-day campaigning period beginning Sept. 12, extending it from the 12 days allotted in the 2021 contest. This extension is seen as an attempt to enhance transparency and rebuild public trust in the party, which has been eroded by controversies surrounding members' ties to the Unification Church and a prolonged political funds scandal.

The race is expected to draw up to 11 candidates vying for the party's top position. Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, former economic security minister, became the first to officially announce his candidacy on Monday, pledging to break away from the LDP's traditional faction-based politics.

Other potential contenders include former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who topped a recent Kyodo News poll as the most favored successor to Kishida, and prominent cabinet members such as Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Digital Minister Taro Kono.

The winner of the LDP leadership race will likely become Japan's next prime minister, given the party's majority in parliament. The new leader will face the immediate challenge of restoring public confidence in the party and addressing pressing national issues.
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