Key Facts
• September 10, 2025: Toshimitsu Mogi announces candidacy for LDP leadership.
• Mogi states Yasukuni Shrine visit decision will be made if elected as Prime Minister.
• Emphasizes respect for war victims and prayers for their peace.
• Notes decline in LDP support among core conservative and younger voters.
• Opposes selective dual-surname system, citing Japan’s family registry as a global model.
• Proposes expanding alias usage to address related inconveniences.
• Highlights Japan’s annual 0.5% labor force decline and aims to boost productivity by 1%.
• Advocates digitalization and efficiency to reduce reliance on foreign workers.
• Stresses addressing labor shortages in critical industries through tailored solutions.
Summary
Toshimitsu Mogi, former Secretary-General of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), declared his candidacy for the party’s leadership on September 10, 2025. He deferred a decision on visiting Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, stating it would be assessed if he became Prime Minister. Mogi expressed respect for war victims and acknowledged the need to regain support from conservative and younger voters. On family policies, he opposed the selective dual-surname system, advocating instead for expanding alias usage. Addressing Japan’s labor challenges, Mogi highlighted the annual 0.5% decline in the workforce and proposed increasing productivity by 1% through digitalization and efficiency measures. He emphasized reducing reliance on foreign workers by addressing labor shortages in key industries with targeted solutions.
