Indian Council of World Affairs

Abstract: Fumio Kishida deciding to vacate his post as the Prime Minister and not seek re-election for the LDP presidential race has opened up one of the most crowded and tightly contested leadership elections for Japan’s ruling party. It also provides an opportunity for the LDP to rebuild trust and revamp its image through a new leader who will eventually become the next Prime Minister. 

Introduction 

Japan’s serving Prime Minister, as well as the current President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Fumio Kishida, announced on 14 August 2024 that he will not be seeking re-election as the LDP President after his term ends in September 2024. This means that the upcoming election for the LDP Presidential race on 27 September 2024^[1] will decide a new leader for the party. Given the LDP’s majority in the Lower House, the next LDP leader will effectively become the new Prime Minister of Japan till the next general election.^[2] Although the general election is scheduled to be held by 31 October 2025, it is speculated that the new leader of the LDP will possibly dissolve the National Diet (Japan Parliament) and hold a general election (Lower House) most likely in November this year, close to the US presidential elections.^[3]

Political Turmoil for the LDP 

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s decision to step down follows the domestic and internal party dissatisfaction regarding scandals surrounding the LDP since the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. The investigations into the assassination of Shinzo Abe opened up revelations alleging close ties between LDP members and the conservative Unification Church.^[4] This triggered the beginning of political headwinds that would damage the LDP’s credibility and erode Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s popularity due to him being the ruling party leader. Additionally, in November 2023, serious allegations came to light regarding certain factions within the LDP having omitted income gained from fund-raising events in their reports.^[5]

Consequently, it was unveiled that LDP’s largest faction, Seiwa Seisaku Kenkyūkai, often shortened to Seiwa Kai, formerly led by the late Shinzo Abe from November 2021 till his demise in July 2022, and the Shisukai faction, which was led by Toshihiro Nikai till 2021, were suspected to have under-reported revenues from fundraising tickets for years.^[6] Per reports of indictments, between 2018 and 2022, the Abe faction under-reported about 670 million yen (approximately $4.48 million), while the Nikai faction had failed to report around 265 million yen (approximately $1.77 million).^[7]

Kishida, who began his term in late 2021 had promised a “new capitalism,” a more robust Japan on the global stage and solutions to the country’s demographic crisis. However, the country has been continuously bogged down with an increasing cost of living crisis, the falling yen against the dollar and questions over funding policies to address Japan’s low birth rate as well as its biggest military build-up since the end of the Second World War. Despite Kishida’s best efforts of ushering in a “new form of capitalism,”^[8] the economy even slipped to fourth place in 2023 as per the IMF data.^[9] Additionally, the political scandal regarding the slush funds and allegations of linkages between LDP members and the controversial Unification Church, had only sharpened the public distrust of the LDP and Kishida’s leadership. 

The weakening of the people’s trust in the LDP and Fumio Kishida, especially with the issue of the slush funds scandal and the controversy surrounding the Unification Church connections, was reflected in the three by-elections held in April 2024. The LDP did not even field candidates in the Tokyo and Nagasaki districts because of apparent low support for the party.^[10] It was only in the Shimane district that the LDP contested. All three seats were eventually won by the liberal-leaning main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ).^[11] The by-election results were what many experts believe led to the sparking of fears about Kishida’s future role as the “face of the election” in the next Lower House general election, which is scheduled for October 2025 but can even be preponed to November 2024.^[12]

To repair damages inflicted on the party’s reputation, Prime Minister Kishida had taken steps to reshuffle his ministers, pushing for a more legitimate cabinet and promising reforms to political funding laws. The LDP also announced in April this year that it would advise two of the 85 members to leave the party and discipline 37 others.^[13] As a step towards regaining the trust and support of the public, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s party pushed for the political fund’s reform bill in the Lower House, which was cleared on 6 June 2024.^[14] It was then passed by the Parliament of Japan on 19 June 2024.^[15]

The revised Political Fund Control Law takes effect on 1 January 2026 and will require politicians to disclose those who purchased more than 50,000 yen ($315) worth of tickets for fund-raising parties, compared to more than 200,000 yen ($1280) under the current law.^[16] The revised law also introduced a suspension of civil rights for lawmakers who are found guilty by association with any wrongful misrepresentation in their reports.^[17] Even so, with the law taking effect only from 1 January 2026, the general public is still left discontented, as the time gap could allow the parties to hold more fundraising events without the restrictions till the new law takes effect.^[18]

Earlier, it was anticipated that Fumio Kishida would be holding the Prime Minister’s post until 2025. However, with the party embroiled in several controversies dealing particularly with transparency in political financing and with the growing public dissatisfaction over Kishida’s actions on the scandal, there seemed to be no other alternative left. Amidst the burgeoning loss of public approval, Fumio Kishida’s decision to step down can be considered an attempt to save the LDP for the next general elections, even though he was never personally implicated in the scandal.^[19] It needs to be said, however, that frequent leadership changes in the LDP may not augur well for Japan’s ruling party polity, domestic stability, economy as well as for people’s overall trust and confidence. 

What Is Next for the LDP? 

Despite the party being rocked by the political funding scandal, the sudden announcement by Prime Minister Kishida has only resulted in a surge of potential candidates throwing their hats in the ring. The race for the LDP presidential election is expected to be a crowded field. The list of potential candidates includes names of veterans and younger politicians.

Fig 1: LDP Leadership election candidates

Former Minister for Economic Security, Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, who is amongst the younger politicians, was the first to officially declare his candidacy on 19 August 2024.^[21] Amongst the veterans, the current Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has conveyed her intentions to run for the party leadership position.^[22] Other political heavyweights of the LDP, such as Digital Minister Taro Kono^[23] and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi^[24] have also declared their candidacies to run for the leadership race.^[25] Former Defence Minister, Shigeru Ishiba,^[26] Industry Minister Ken Saito and former Environment Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, are also said to be contenders.^[27] Shinjiro Koizumi declared his candidacy on 6 September 2024.^[28] The secretary-general of the ruling LDP, Toshimitsu Motegi, also announced his candidacy to become the LDP leader.^[29] Till 10 September 2024, the total number of official candidates reached eight, with the addition of Ms Sane Takaichi, Economic Security Minister[30] and Mr Katsunobu Kato, Former Health Minister.[31] Each potential candidate needed to first secure 20 LDP Diet members’ support to run.^[32]

A nationwide survey conducted by the Asahi Shimbun news outlet on 24 and 25 August shows 67-year-old Shigeru Ishiba and 43-year-old Shinjiro Koizumi emerged as the most popular candidates, with overall 21 per cent support amongst the public.^[33] Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is the son of the former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and he has been labelled as a public’s favourite rising star expected to become a future leader. He has vowed to clean up politics, initiate constitutional reforms[34] and call for a snap-elections as soon as possible if chosen as the leader of the LDP.[35] It is, however, entirely contingent on all LDP National Diet members and an equal number of rank-and-file party members as to who they will choose to vote for as their next leader.^[36]

Developments for the Main Opposition CDPJ 

On the other hand, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ), currently led by Kenta Izumi, is also scheduled to hold its leadership election, with results to be declared on 23 September 2024.^[37] Yukio Edano, a former head of the CDPJ, became the first to announce his candidacy on 21 August 2024.^[38] Japan’s former Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, 67, eyeing a political comeback also announced his candidature to contest for the CDPJ presidential election.^[39] However, growing anxiety seems to be overshadowing the limited choice of candidates for the CDPJ leadership.

Fig 2: CDPJ Leadership election candidates

With the lack of candidates — old and new included — the main opposition CDPJ faces scrutiny over whether they have viable options to bring in fresh politics, differentiating itself from the LDP’s scandal-hit image.^[40] The current CDPJ president, Kenta Izumi, 50, who is amongst the younger politicians and considered a serious contender for the post of Prime Minister in the next general elections^[41] was speculated to be facing an uphill task in getting 20 nominations to run again for the CDPJ leadership.^[42] He also announced his candidacy on 6 September 2024, a day before the CDPJ campaigning starts.^[43] Another last minute addition was Ms Harumi Yoshida, 52, first-term Lower House member, who filed her candidacy on 7 September 2024.^[44] The editorial of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper stated “Yoshida’s candidacy prevented the election from being an all-male contest, helping to avoid political embarrassment”.^[45] The final four-way race for the CDPJ leadership seems more like a symbolic gesture of revamping the party as a viable alternative amidst the burgeoning questions regarding the promotion of a new generation of leaders in the CDPJ. 

In terms of foreign policy mandates, a delegation of opposition lawmakers led by Katsuya Okada, the secretary general of CDPJ, met with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in Beijing on 29 August 2024^[46] and signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation and communication.^[47] This visit by Japan’s main opposition party was right after the 26 August 2024 first-ever confirmed intrusion of Japanese airspace off the Danjo Islands in Goto, Nagasaki Prefecture, by a Chinese military aircraft.^[48]

To make matters worse, a Chinese Navy survey ship entered Japanese territorial waters off Kagoshima prefecture on 31 August 2024,^[49] which China justified as “completely legitimate” as the vessel was exercising simply its right of transit.^[50] Considering the blatant increase in Chinese belligerent actions in Japanese territorial airspace and water, the CDPJ will need to be clearer in its foreign policy mandate towards China if it were to challenge the LDP for the Prime Minister’s position. 

Moreover, amidst the tense security environment, the CDPJ has reportedly been in disagreement on certain national security matters. The CDPJ is also said to be still in opposition to the limited exercise of the right of collective self-defence and has been negative towards plans of Japan possessing retaliatory capabilities.^[51] At times, the party is also seen contradicting its policies of further strengthening “a healthy Japan-US alliance at the core” per the CDPJ Party Platform of 2020^[52] and their “Basic Policies.”^[53] The party calls for a revision of the Japan-US Status of Force agreement through reducing burden related to the US military bases. The CDPJ is also averse to the revision of the constitution through reinterpretation of Article 9, as it states in its policies that the party will “take necessary measures such as abolishing the unconstitutional parts of the security legislation.”^[54]

Such contradictory policies, especially in the middle of geopolitical flux and one of the most complex security environments, could prove detrimental to the CDPJ’s fortune in the next general elections for the post of Prime Minister. Although the party states in its basic policies that it will “promote realistic security and foreign policies, with a commitment to international cooperation and exclusive self-defence,” the CDPJ has not offered alternative policy measures that address the evolving challenges of the global security environment.^[55]

Domestic and International Policy Implications

So far, the potential leader of the LDP, who will eventually hold the Prime Minister’s post till the next general elections, is more likely to follow the same mandate as the previous cabinet. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has already set the ball rolling in terms of reforming the party and domestic politics through the revised Political Fund Control Law. Certain discontentment within the public remains regarding the delay in its commencement on 1 January 2026. Additionally, the sluggish economic growth, cost of living crisis, low birth rate, falling yen and financing the defence expenditures will certainly remain core issues that need to be urgently addressed with fresh, action-oriented policies by the candidates looking to target the Prime Minister’s post. 

One of the decisions that have been long pending is the revision of the 1947-drafted Constitution over the need to clearly explain the “Self-Defense Forces (SDF)” while keeping the wording of Article 9. On 2 September 2024, Japan’s LDP, during a members meeting, pushed for specifically mentioning the SDF in a revised Constitution.^[56] This is another key step taken by Kishida before he vacates his post. He has also urged his successor to carry it through.

There are debates on how certain candidates will pursue the revision of the Constitution. The LDP candidate Shigeru Ishiba said he is on the same page regarding the SDF but continues to call for the deletion of Article 9.^[57] Shinjiro Koizumi, the public’s favourite, has also vowed to undertake the first-ever revision of the pacifist Constitution.^[58] At this moment, the LDP candidates, to garner support from the more conservative LDP members, will be seen echoing the same line of revising the Constitution. However, the real challenge will be to take the mandate of revising the Constitution to the public and demand votes during the next general elections.

Kishida will be leaving his post behind in the backdrop of a fast-changing complex strategic environment. Nevertheless, during his tenure, Japan reconceptualised its national security positions through an upgraded National Security Strategy (NSS) in 2022. Kishida extensively promoted a comprehensively stronger US-Japan alliance, a reconfiguration of Japan-South Korea relations, an expanded partnership with NATO, a new plan for the Indo-Pacific with India as an indispensable partner and a new cooperation framework through the Official Security Assistance (OSA) with like-minded countries. It will be vital for his successor in the short and long term to continue and strengthen these initiatives and the multi-layered partnerships, especially to address the challenges in the Indo-Pacific. 

It will be interesting to see how the next leader of the LDP, as the Prime Minister of Japan, will undertake decisions pertaining to national security and foreign policy matters. Japan has been entrenching itself as a formidable partner in the Indo-Pacific, as is perceptible through its newly formed partnerships, such as the Japan-Philippines-US trilateral and the Japan-US-Australia-Philippines partnership (Squad) in 2024. The continued deepened engagements through the existing Quad (Japan-India-US-Australia) partnership and the revival of the Japan-US-South Korea Trilateral in 2023 showcase Japan’s advancing efforts to secure the region from traditional and non-traditional security threats. The web of alliances and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the participation of Japan in these partnerships that have emerged in the past three years of Kishida’s term since 2021 itself indicates how Japan is eyeing a more proactive role in circumventing attempts to upend the status quo by force. 

The most significant step forward for the next LDP leader as the Prime Minister is expected to be ensuring the Japan-US alliance remains robust, as it is key to all the other partnerships that have emerged in the recent past where Tokyo is cooperating. These emerging networks of alliances in the Indo-Pacific with the US and its allies like Japan at the centre are being recognised as the transition of the US “hub and spoke” model towards a “latticework framework.”^[59] As Japan still affirms reliance on the US extended deterrence, the most rational output for the next LDP leader will be to follow through on maintaining the Japan-US alliance and its networked deterrence model. 

Despite having mutual concerns about security threats in Northeast Asia, Japan-South-Korean relations have been long overshadowed by disputes resulting in difficulties in reconciling. The cold dynamics have started to thaw with the introduction of a new administration under President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea in 2022. On 16 March 2023, the two countries restarted the Japan-South Korea Summit after a 12-year hiatus to mark a future-oriented approach. Additionally, the Japan-South Korea-US trilateral has also been institutionalised. The reconciliation of Japan-South Korea relations, if it sustains for the long-term, will be a remarkable legacy that Kishida will leave behind. With his tenure coming to an end, the decision for his last international visit to South Korea on 6 and 7 September 2024 displays an enduring momentum Kishida desires should be maintained with Seoul for the next leader as well.^[60]

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Japan’s Political Landscape

The upcoming LDP presidential race is one of the most crowded and perhaps tightly contested elections for the party. There are at least eight officially declared contenders, with a few more to be declared before the campaigning starts on 12 September 2024 and ends with the results on 27 September 2024. Speculations have been rife regarding whether the dissolved factions could revive and be at play to back certain contenders.^[61] The potential candidates for the LDP leaders’ post and, by extension, the next Prime Minister are all seen as political heavyweights with possibly fresh agendas to tackle the existing turmoil within the party and in the country. The party will have to choose someone who has non-partisan backing within the LDP as well as with the domestic voters for the next general elections, which could be as soon as November 2024, if not in October 2025. 

Although Kishida attempted to revive the stagnant economy through measures such as the “new form of capitalism,” the steps have not been able to bear fruit. Consequently, with the added difficulties of upgrading and strengthening their defence and security policy, especially through the National Security Strategy (NSS), the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and the Defense Buildup Program (DBP) issued in 2022, the domestic audience remained perplexed as to how all of these defence upgrades will be funded through a sluggish economy. Such questions will be asked of the next leader of the LDP, who will be the successor to Kishida as the next Prime Minister of Japan. The newly inducted LDP leader/Prime Minister of Japan will have to convince the voters how the country will be able to overcome domestic as well as international hurdles. On the opposition side, the CDPJ is an alternative, but with the baggage of being unable to bring forth realistic policies to distinguish itself from the scandal-hit LDP. It remains to be seen who is elected as leaders of the LDP and the CDPJ and what policy frameworks they propose for the country’s success moving forward.

***** 

*Dr. Tunchinmang Langel, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)
Disclaimer: The views expressed are personal.

Endnotes

[1] Nikkei Asia, 2024, “Japan's ruling party to vote on Kishida successor on Sept. 27,” August 20, 2024, https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-s-leadership-race/Japan-s-ruling-party-to-vote-on-Kishida-successor-on-Sept.-27 (Accessed August 21, 2024).

[2] Shohei Sasagawa, 2024, “Kishida to step down, won’t run in LDP election for president,” The Asahi Shimbun, August 14, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15388293 (Accessed August 21, 2024).

[3] Shin Nakayama, 2024, “Editor-in-Chief’s Pick,” Nikkei Asia, August 30, 2024, https://asia.nikkei.com/Newsletters/Editor-in-chief-s-picks/Editor-in-chief-s-picks325 (Accessed August 30, 2024).

[4] The Asahi Shimbun, 2022, “Public security chief, governor had Unification Church dealings,” July 27, 2022, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14680652 (Accessed August 30, 2024).

[5] The Asahi Shimbun, 2023, “Kishida orders LDP factions to clarify erroneous income reports,” November 23, 2023, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15064891 (Accessed August 30, 2024).

[6] Kanako Takahara, 2023, “Understanding the LDP political funding scandal and its implications,” December 7, 2023, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/12/07/japan/explainer/explainer-ldp-political-funding-scandal/ (Accessed August 30, 2024).

[7] Tomisaki Takashi, 2024, “Attacking the Roots of Japan’s Slush Fund Scandal: A Call for Transparency in Political Finance,” Nippon.com, March 15, 2024, https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00973/ (Accessed August 30, 2024).

[8] Prime Minister’s Office of Japan, n.d., “A New Form of Capitalism,” https://japan.kantei.go.jp/ongoingtopics/policies_kishida/newcapitalism.html (Accessed September 2, 2024).

[9] Julian Ryall, 2024, “Japanese angst as India set to become 4th largest economy,” May 10, 2024, https://www.dw.com/en/japanese-angst-as-india-set-to-overtake-as-4th-largest-economy/a-69044686 (Accessed September 2, 2024).

[10] Mari Yamaguchi, 2024, “Japan’s ruling party loses all 3 seats in special vote, seen as punishment for corruption scandal,” Associated Press, April 29, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/japan-kishida-byelection-4ecc24f73a421a6e2afadd8e513f1a1d (Accessed September 2, 2024).

[11] Tomoyuki Tachikawa, 2024, “Japan PM's LDP loses 3 Diet seats to main opposition amid scandal,” Kyodo News, April 29, 2024, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/04/c7fb9e7347ac-voting-underway-for-3-by-elections-in-japans-lower-house.html (Accessed September 2, 2024).

[12] Tomoyuki Tachikawa, 2024, “Japan PM's LDP loses 3 Diet seats to main opposition amid scandal,” Kyodo News, April 29, 2024, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/04/c7fb9e7347ac-voting-underway-for-3-by-elections-in-japans-lower-house.html (Accessed September 2, 2024).

[13] Alice French, 2024, “Japan passes amended political funds law: 4 things to know,” Nikkei Asia, June 19, 2024, https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-passes-amended-political-funds-law-4-things-to-know (Accessed September 2, 2024).

[14] The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2024, “LDP’s Political Funds Reform Bill Passes Lower House; Opposition Concerned Key Elements Will Not Be Implemented,” The Japan News, June 6, 2024, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20240606-190394/ (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[15] Jiji Press, 2024, “Diet Passes Political Funds Bill after LDP Money Scandal,” The Japan News, June 19, 2024, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20240619-193101/ (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[16] Takahiro Okubo, 2024, “Revisions to political fund law pass Diet, skip drastic reforms,” The Asahi Shimbun, June 19, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15311381 (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[17] Jiji Press, 2024, “Diet Passes Political Funds Bill after LDP Money Scandal,” The Japan News, June 19, 2024, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20240619-193101/ (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[18] Kyodo News, 2024, “Japan Diet enacts law to reform political funds rules amid criticism,” June 19, 2024, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/06/19fbe3cb8f37-update1-japan-diet-enacts-law-to-reform-political-funds-rules-amid-criticism.html (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[19] Arata Yamamoto and Jennifer Jett, 2024, “Japan's Kishida to step aside as leader of the key U.S. ally as scandals take their toll,” NBC News, August 14, 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/japan-fumio-kishida-says-will-not-run-paving-way-new-prime-minister-rcna166507 (Accessed September 3, 2024)

[20] (TBD) To be declared.

[21] Yuta Ogi, 2024, “Kobayashi 1st out of the gate in running for LDP presidential post”, The Asahi Shimbun, August 19, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15393284 (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[22] The Mainichi, 2024, “Japan ministers Taro Kono, Yoko Kamikawa plan to run in ruling party race,” August 18, 2024, https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240818/p2g/00m/0na/006000c (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[23] Taro Kotegawa, 2024, “Kono declares candidacy for LDP race, vows political reforms,” August 26, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15401778 (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[24] The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2024, “Yoshimasa Hayashi Enters Race for President of Japan’s LDP; Chief Cabinet Secretary Also Ran for Post in 2012,” September 3, 2024, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20240903-209046/ (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[25] Eric Johnston, 2024, “LDP presidential hopefuls' first hurdle — securing 20 signatures,” The Japan Times, August 19, 2024, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/08/19/japan/politics/ldp-president-election-candidates/ (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[26] Gabriele Ninivaggi, 2024, “Ex-defense chief Shigeru Ishiba announces fifth bid for LDP presidency,” The Japan Times, August 24, 2024, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/08/24/japan/politics/shigeru-ishiba-ldp-presidential-election/ (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[27] The Mainichi, 2024, “Japan ministers Taro Kono, Yoko Kamikawa plan to run in ruling party race,” August 18, 2024, https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240818/p2g/00m/0na/006000c (Accessed September 3, 2024).

[28] Kyodo News, 2024, “LDP rising star Koizumi announces bid for leadership,” September 6, 2024, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/09/2eb40e562158-ldp-rising-star-koizumi-announces-bid-for-leadership.html (Accessed September 6, 2024).

[29] Alastair Gale, 2024, “Japan’s Motegi Enters LDP Race With Vow to Vanquish Deflation,” BNN Bloomberg, September 4, 2024, https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/international/2024/09/04/japans-motegi-enters-ldp-race-with-vow-to-vanquish-deflation/ (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[30] Keishi Nishimura, 2024, “Takaichi joins LDP election, vows strategic fiscal stimulus,” The Asahi Shimbun¸ September 9, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15419901 (Accessed September 10, 2024)

[31] Kyodo News, 2024, “Ex-health chief Kato announces bid to lead Japan ruling party,” September 10, 2024, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/09/871f68365ef6-ex-health-chief-kato-announces-bid-to-become-japan-ruling-party-head.html (Accessed September 10, 2024)

[32] Nippon.com, 2024, “Japan’s Next Prime Minister: LDP Election a Crowded Field,” August 21, 2024, https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h02097/japan%E2%80%99s-next-prime-minister-ldp-election-a-crowded-field.html (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[33] The Asahi Shimbun, 2024, “Survey: Public prefers Ishiba or Koizumi in LDP election,” August 26, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15401521 (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[34] Shinkai Kawabe, 2024, “Koizumi vows changes to LDP, Constitution, surname system,” The Asahi Shimbun, September 6, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15417021 (Accessed September 6, 2024)

[35] Gabriele Ninivaggi, 2024, “Shinjiro Koizumi promises immediate snap election if elected LDP president,” The Japan Times, September 6, 2024, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/06/japan/politics/shinjiro-koizumi-ldp-presidency/ (Accessed September 6, 2024)

[36] Daniel Manning, 2024, “Understanding the LDP Leadership Election,” Japan Forward, August 20, 2024, https://japan-forward.com/understanding-the-ldp-leadership-election/ (Accessed September 4, 2024)

[37] Nikkei Asia, 2024, “Japan's ruling party to vote on Kishida successor on Sept. 27,” August 20, 2024, https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-s-leadership-race/Japan-s-ruling-party-to-vote-on-Kishida-successor-on-Sept.-27 (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[38] The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2024, “Former CDPJ Chief Yukio Edano Announces Bid for Leadership, Pledges to Lead ‘Sustainable Wage Increases,” August 21, 2024, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20240821-206458/ (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[39] Kei Kobayashi, 2024, “Noda declares candidacy for presidency of opposition CDP,” The Asahi Shimbun, August 30, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15407663 (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[40] The Asahi Shimbun, 2024, “VOX POPULI: CDP needs to step up and shed ‘same old, same old’ persona,” September 3, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15411936 (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[41] Jio Kamata, 2024, “Will Izumi Kenta Be Japan’s Next Prime Minister?” The Diplomat, May 1, 2024, https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/will-izumi-kenta-be-japans-next-prime-minister/ (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[42] The Japan Times, 2024, “CDP chief Izumi scrambles to find backers for reelection bid,” August 29, 2024, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/08/29/japan/politics/cdp-izumi-struggling/ (Accessed September 4, 2024).

[43] The Mainichi, 2024, “Kenta Izumi seeks reelection in Japan's main opposition leadership race,” September 6, 2024, https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240906/p2g/00m/0na/015000c (Accessed September 6, 2024).

[44] The Asahi Shimbun, 2024, “Four run in CDP leadership race as Yoshida enters at the last minute,” September 7, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15418579 (Accessed September 9, 2024)

[45] The Asahi Shimbun, 2024, “EDITORIAL: CDP’s chance to show voters it is worthy of mandate to rule,” September 9, 2024, https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15419456 (Accessed September 9, 2024)

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