Key Facts
• The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election will be announced next week.
• Five candidates are expected to compete, focusing on inflation measures and opposition cooperation.
• Former Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi and former Economic Security Minister Akihiro Kobayashi have declared candidacy.
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi is set to announce his candidacy on September 16.
• Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi are expected to declare this week.
• All five candidates also participated in last year’s presidential election.
• The election will follow a full-spec format, with equal weight given to parliamentary and party member votes.
• Key issues include revising the ¥20,000 uniform payment from the Upper House election and responding to opposition tax reduction proposals.
• Voting and ballot counting are scheduled for October 4.
Summary
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to announce its presidential election next week, with five candidates vying to succeed current leader Shigeru Ishiba. The race will focus on inflation countermeasures and collaboration with opposition parties. Confirmed candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, Akihiro Kobayashi, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, with Shinjiro Koizumi and Sanae Takaichi expected to join. The election will use a full-spec format, balancing parliamentary and party member votes. Key policy debates will address the ¥20,000 payment revision and opposition tax reduction demands. Voting concludes on October 4.
