Senior lawmakers begin moves to succeed Ishiba in LDP ruling party race
Baku, September 8, AZERTAC
Senior politicians in Japan's ruling party on Monday began making moves to run in the leadership race to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a day after he announced his resignation amid pressure to step down following a summer election setback, according to Kyodo News.
Toshimitsu Motegi, a former foreign minister, said he intends to run in the vote that is likely to decide the next prime minister. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, the government's top spokesperson, is also planning a leadership bid, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Ishiba announced his decision to resign in a hastily called press conference on Sunday in the face of pressure from his party to stand down to take responsibility for its dismal results in the House of Councillors election in July.
As the Liberal Democratic Party seeks to turn its fortunes around, Motegi, 69, told reporters that he wants "to give my all as someone with a variety of government and party experience."
He has said he plans to hold a press conference regarding his plans for the LDP.
Hayashi, who has also previously served as foreign minister, told reporters he intends to "hold close discussions with my supporters from the previous contest." It would be the 64-year-old Hayashi's third try for the leadership.
Both men ran in the September 2024 race, which Ishiba won. Hayashi came fourth out of nine candidates, while Motegi placed sixth.
At a party meeting on Monday, originally meant to decide whether to hold a snap leadership contest, Ishiba communicated his decision to resign. With the vote suspended, the party is accelerating preparations for the race.
The format and timing of the presidential race are expected to be decided on Tuesday or later. The LDP's executive leadership will remain in place until the presidential race concludes.
Other lawmakers who are likely to run include Sanae Takaichi, the former minister of economic security, who lost to Ishiba in the run-off contest of the previous leadership race. A close aide to the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi is known for her hawkish stance on national security.
Shinjiro Koizumi, the farm minister and a son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, is also seen as a contender for the party presidency.
Amid moves by prominent politicians, Ishiba told reporters that he accepts the fact that Cabinet members are preparing to run for leadership "as a matter of course."
Some of his closest allies also expressed regret about his resignation. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said he did not have "enough strength" to support him through the leadership crisis.
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