Key Facts
• September 9, 2025: Finance Minister Kato held a press conference after a cabinet meeting.
• Kato stated he would carefully consider his role in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race.
• He emphasized the importance of reflecting on the LDP’s performance in the Upper House election.
• Kato previously ran in the September 2024 LDP leadership race, finishing 9th out of 9 candidates.
• Other candidates, including former Secretary-General Motegi, have already declared their candidacy.
Summary
Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato announced on September 9, 2025, that he is contemplating his potential candidacy in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election. Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Kato highlighted the need to evaluate the LDP’s performance in the recent Upper House election and determine how he could contribute to achieving political goals. Kato, who finished last in the 2024 leadership race, has yet to make a final decision. Meanwhile, other prominent figures, such as former Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, have already declared their intentions to run.
