After giving a speech in preparation for the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election in Osaka on September 18, 2024, candidates for the next leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (Liberal Democratic Party) will join forces.
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Japan’s ruling party will choose a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday in an election campaign to determine the next national leader.
A record nine candidates are participating in the contest, which could result in Japan’s youngest or first female prime minister, or a veteran politician ultimately becoming prime minister. There is.
Mr. Kishida announced in August that he would not run for the LDP leadership position, effectively leaving the LDP in turmoil as his three-year term ended.
The winner of the Liberal Democratic Party poll is expected to be approved by the prime minister Vote in Congress on October 1st and, corruption scandal And the economy is in a period of transition. The party holds a majority in both houses of Congress, making it virtually certain that its leader will become the next prime minister.
According to a public opinion poll, favorite Those running for election include former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Mr. Ishiba, 67, is running for office for the fifth time. supported the Bank of Japan’s policies He advocated steady interest rate hikes and called for the establishment of a policy interest rate. NATO in Asia This is to prevent threats from China and North Korea.
Takaichi, 63, is one of two women participating in the election campaign, arguing that Japan’s economy needs the necessary policies. Further fiscal stimulus Strengthen in the field of foreign affairs and defense.
At 43, Prime Minister Koizumi has the least experience as a senior government official and will be Japan’s youngest prime minister since World War II. he has promised Promote social and economic reform and increase the transparency of the Liberal Democratic Party.
If no candidate receives a simple majority of the candidates, a runoff election will be held between the two candidates who received the most votes in the first round.
Japan’s new leaders will have to steer the country through a period of economic and political instability.
Challenges facing the country include reversing three decades of stagnation, increasing diplomatic and security challenges posed by China and a potential second Trump term in the United States, and a demographic crisis due to a rapidly aging population. Included.