Japan ( Tokyo) Japan’s Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro has decided he is going to join the race and run for the leadership of the country’s main ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Koizumi met with local assembly members and supporters in his constituency in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, on Saturday. Many at the event reportedly expressed hope for his candidacy.
Koizumi told the attendees that he wants to be a force that can move Japan’s politics forward in a difficult time.
He is expected to officially announce his bid early next week.
Former LDP secretary-general Motegi Toshimitsu has already announced his candidacy officially. He visited local festivals in his constituency in Tochigi Prefecture on Saturday.
Motegi said he wants people to truly feel the benefits of an economic recovery and that he wants to rebuild both local communities and the entire country for a better tomorrow.
Former economic security minister Kobayashi Takayuki who has also announced his decision to run spoke to about 150 supporters in his constituency in Chiba Prefecture on Saturday.
He said he will advocate for policies to build a strong economy, including tackling rising prices. The 50-year-old said he wants to use “his youthful power” to lead the LDP forward.
Two other lawmakers… Takaichi Sanae who served as economic security minister in the past and Hayashi Yoshimasa who is currently the chief cabinet secretary… have both decided to run.
They spent Saturday in Tokyo working on refining their policies for their campaign.
Meanwhile, a senior member of the largest opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan reiterated that a political vacuum should not be allowed to form.
Honjo Satoshi, the party’s Policy Research Committee chairperson, said on Saturday the CDP must firmly press for discussions between ruling and opposition parties.
The official campaigning for the LDP leadership race gets underway on September 22nd. Voting will be held on October 4th.
About the Author
