TOKYO, Aug 21 (News On Japan) –
Shinjiro Koizumi, former Minister of the Environment, has indicated his intention to run within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election, set to happen on September 27.
After assembly with Prime Minister Kishida on August nineteenth, Koizumi shunned commenting immediately on his plans, stating, “Since we are at the Prime Minister’s Office, it is not appropriate to discuss the presidential election here. I will refrain from commenting.”
At 43 years outdated, and with 5 phrases in workplace, Koizumi is seen as a powerful contender for the position of Prime Minister, typically rating second in public opinion polls, simply behind former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba.
According to lawmakers who’ve spoken with Koizumi, he expressed his need to advertise insurance policies, together with constitutional reform, in the course of the marketing campaign.
Should Koizumi formally announce his candidacy, it’s anticipated that he’ll acquire assist from youthful and mid-level LDP members who’re unaffiliated with any faction. Additionally, former Prime Minister Suga, who has garnered backing from such members, can also be seen as a possible supporter.
On the night of August twentieth, former Prime Minister Suga dined with LDP Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, a possible successor to Prime Minister Kishida, at a Chinese restaurant in Akasaka, Tokyo.
Earlier, on August 14th, when Prime Minister Kishida introduced he wouldn’t search re-election, Motegi invited Aso faction chief and LDP Vice President Taro Aso to a steakhouse, the place he conveyed his need to run for the presidency. However, Aso responded that it might be tough to safe unified assist from his faction.
Motegi, who met with former Prime Minister Suga on the evening of the twentieth, has connections with the Abe and Nikai factions by means of former Cabinet ministers Koichi Hagiuda, Katsunobu Kato, and Ryota Takeda, collectively referred to as ‘HKT’.
Following their assembly, Motegi commented, “We had a very productive discussion about Japan’s future.”
Meanwhile, Digital Minister Taro Kono attended a nationwide coverage report assembly organized by LDP lawmakers in Tokyo across the similar time.
As he launched himself, Kono remarked, “I’m Taro Kono. With so many cameras here, it feels like the presidential election has already begun.”
Kono has already obtained the approval of his faction chief, Taro Aso, to run and is finalizing plans to carry a press convention asserting his candidacy on August twenty sixth.
With a number of candidates rising, the LDP presidential election is shaping as much as be a crowded race. LDP supporters have shared their views on the growing state of affairs:
One supporter mentioned, “I think it’s interesting. There are so many candidates, more than a dozen. It’s good to see young people stepping up.”
Another commented, “If the factions continue to dominate the presidential election, nothing will change. Only by holding a free and open election can we truly say things have changed.”
Source: ANN