Leadership Election in Japan

By Tim Kelly

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party votes on Friday in a leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Leading Contenders

SHIGERU ISHIBA, 67

The former defense minister is making his fifth and, he says, final bid to lead a party that has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades.

Ishiba is unique among the candidates for advocating a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy, such as geothermal, and supports legislation that would permit female emperors—a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers. His economic strategy includes raising wages to counter inflation and possibly exempting some goods from Japan’s 10% sales tax to help low-income citizens. He also agrees with the Bank of Japan’s policy of gradually raising interest rates but is uncertain whether now is the right time. Ishiba proposes establishing a disaster management agency to build shelters and improve conditions for military personnel to ensure Japan has enough troops for its defense. Notably, he is the son of a former prefectural governor and cabinet minister, a rare Christian in a nation dominated by Buddhism and Shinto. He is known for building model ships and planes.

SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 43

The youngest candidate, Koizumi is the son of a former prime minister and heir to a political dynasty that has influenced Japan for over a century.

Koizumi presents himself as a reformer who can restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would be Japan’s youngest prime minister. Favored by younger voters and women, he plans to call a general election potentially before the U.S. presidential vote in November. He aims to accelerate Kishida’s policies to foster economic growth adaptable to technological changes, including artificial intelligence. Educated at Columbia University, Koizumi proposed opening Japan’s regulated taxi market to ride-sharing and promises financial support for pensioners and low-income households. He supports higher wages in small and medium-sized companies while making layoffs easier. Koizumi backs legislation for women to retain maiden names but opposes allowing women to become emperors. He also supports revisions to Japan’s pacifist constitution. A keen surfer, he is married to a French-Japanese TV personality.

SANAE TAKAICHI, 63

Representing the LDP’s right wing, Takaichi serves as Japan’s economic security minister and is the leading female candidate in the race. Known for her conservative views, she supports revising the pacifist constitution and frequently visits the Yasukuni war shrine, controversial in some Asian nations. Takaichi opposes allowing women to retain their maiden names, asserting it would undermine tradition. She previously suggested revoking media companies’ broadcasting licenses if they exhibit political bias. Takaichi prioritizes economic growth to enhance Japan’s international standing, using ‘strategic spending’ to boost employment and consumer sentiment.

TARO KONO, 61

With the support of rank-and-file LDP members, Kono was a leading candidate three years ago but lost to Kishida, who had more LDP lawmakers’ backing. This time, Kono, currently the digital minister, has lagged in polls despite past leadership experience. He has suggested reforms for labor markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers. Kono has gained attention by proposing that Japan deploy nuclear-powered submarines to protect maritime choke points around the country.

OTHER CANDIDATES

Additional candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68; Yoko Kamikawa, 71; Takayuki Kobayashi, 49; Katsunobu Kato, 68; and Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63. Motegi has served as secretary-general of the LDP and foreign minister, while Kamikawa is the current foreign minister. Kobayashi was the former economic security minister, and Kato has previously held health and labor minister roles along with Chief Cabinet Secretary responsibilities.