Who’s Competing to be Japan’s Next Prime Minister? By Reuters

By Tim Kelly

TOKYO – Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is set to vote on Friday in a leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Here’s a look at the leading candidates based on public opinion surveys.

SHIGERU ISHIBA, 67
The former defense minister is running for the fifth and what he claims will be the final time to lead a party that has been in power for most of the past seventy years. He advocates for a transition from nuclear power to renewable energy sources like geothermal and supports legislation enabling female emperors, a stance not favored by many party lawmakers. His economic plan includes increasing wages to combat rising prices and potentially exempting certain goods from Japan’s 10% sales tax to assist low-income citizens. Ishiba endorses the Bank of Japan’s gradual interest rate hikes but questions whether the current timing is appropriate for further increases. He also proposed the formation of a disaster management agency to construct shelters and aims to enhance conditions for military personnel to ensure Japan maintains sufficient defense capabilities. A unique figure in Japan, he is a rare Christian in a nation dominated by Buddhism and Shinto, and he enjoys building model ships and planes.

SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 43
The youngest candidate, Koizumi, is the son of a former prime minister and is part of a political dynasty that has influenced Japanese governance for over a century. He positions himself as a reformer capable of restoring public trust in a party dealing with scandals. If successful, he would become Japan’s youngest prime minister. Popular among younger voters, he has promised to call a general election possibly before the U.S. presidential election in November. Koizumi aims to advance Kishida’s policies for economic growth that adapts to technological changes, especially the rise of artificial intelligence. Educated at Columbia University, he suggests opening Japan’s regulated taxi market to ride-sharing and aims to provide financial aid for pensioners and low-income households. He is in favor of enabling women to keep their maiden names but opposes allowing them to become emperors, and he supports revisions to Japan’s pacifist constitution. As a passionate surfer, Koizumi is married to a French-Japanese television personality, and one of his brothers is a well-known actor.

SANAE TAKAICHI, 63
Takaichi represents the LDP’s right wing and is currently Japan’s economic security minister, making her the foremost female contender in the race. She has previously challenged Kishida in 2021 and is recognized for her conservative stance, advocating for constitutional reform and frequently visiting the Yasukuni war shrine, viewed by some countries as a symbol of Japan’s militaristic past. She opposes allowing women to retain their maiden names, arguing it undermines tradition. Takaichi stirred controversy in 2016 by suggesting that the government might revoke broadcasting licenses of media companies perceived as politically biased. She emphasizes prioritizing economic growth to bolster Japan’s international standing and intends to use "strategic spending" to enhance employment and consumer confidence.

TARO KONO, 61
Kono received considerable support from grassroots LDP members during the last leadership race but ultimately lost to Kishida. Now, as the digital minister aiming to eliminate fax machines, he has struggled in opinion polls. A third-generation LDP member educated at Georgetown University, he has held roles as Japan’s foreign and defense minister and states that his connections would benefit him in dealings with Washington, regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential contest. Kono is focused on reforming labor markets to boost pay and working conditions for part-time workers and to assist individuals in acquiring skills for higher-paying jobs. Notably, he has drawn attention by suggesting Japan should deploy nuclear-powered submarines to protect key maritime areas.

OTHER CANDIDATES
Other candidates in the race include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the LDP’s secretary-general and former foreign minister, and Yoko Kamikawa, 71, the current foreign minister. Takayuki Kobayashi, a former economic security minister at 49, is the second-youngest candidate after Koizumi. Also running are Katsunobu Kato, 68, a former health and labor minister, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, who currently serves as Chief Cabinet Secretary and has previously held positions as defense and foreign minister.