LDP hopeful Koizumi unveils leadership bid, eager for snap election

KYODO NEWS - 5 hours ago - 13:31 | All, Japan
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Friday he will run in the upcoming leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, vowing to "accelerate" reforms of the party following a slush funds scandal and win back public trust.

Koizumi, a 43-year-old rising star within the LDP who has been among the public's favorites to become a future Japanese leader, said he will dissolve the House of Representatives "as soon as possible" if he is elected LDP chief and takes over as prime minister.

"I want to break with Japan's outdated politics," Koizumi told a press conference. "We have lost public trust at a time when Japan is in a crisis situation. The political funds issue exactly mirrors the old LDP."

Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi holds a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 6, 2024, announcing that he will run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election. (Kyodo)

The LDP's presidential race is being held in the wake of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's sudden announcement in August that he will not seek reelection as leader of the ruling party, which has been rattled by the slush funds scandal that was revealed late last year.

"Becoming prime minister is not an end in itself but a means to tackle challenges that have been left unaddressed," Koizumi said.

Noting that Kishida decided not to seek reelection "to take responsibility" for the scandal, Koizumi said it is necessary to hear the voices of the people and seek a new public mandate.

The next election must be called by October 2025, but opposition lawmakers are wary of the possibility of an election sooner rather than later.

In an apparent bid to win support from conservative LDP members and supporters, Koizumi said he will aim for the country's first-ever revision of the pacifist postwar Constitution as one of his top priorities.

"The Japanese people have never been given an opportunity to decide whether to revise the Constitution. Even if (a proposal to revise it) is rejected, I will change the fact that it has never been put to a national referendum," he said.

The LDP wants the war-renouncing Constitution to stipulate the existence of the Self-Defense Forces to end the domestic debate over their constitutionality.

Koizumi, meanwhile, said he also wants to push for legislation that would allow married couples to use different surnames, a topic that has divided the LDP.

Koizumi's supporters in the party hope he will be able to help renew the LDP's image, but others question whether he has the experience to lead the country. Yoshihide Suga, who was prime minister before Kishida, is believed to be a staunch supporter of Koizumi.

"I'm not perfect but I will form a superb team of people to make up for what I don't possess," said Koizumi, whose father Junichiro Koizumi was premier from 2001 to 2006.

Asked about his stance on economic policy, he said he wants to follow the course charted by Kishida in principle, and ensure the current upward momentum of wages will continue and that Japan does not return to deflation.

The next LDP chief is almost certain to become prime minister because both houses of parliament are controlled by the LDP-Komeito coalition.

The party presidential election is shaping up to be a crowded one, with a record number of candidates poised to join.

Another young LDP hopeful, former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, 49, became the first to throw his name in the hat, with a vow to revamp the LDP, a party where factions have exerted great influence.

Among those who rank high in opinion polls as candidates to become the next Japanese leader, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67, has already announced his bid, as has Digital Minister Taro Kono, 61.

LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the No. 2 after Kishida, is also seeking to take the helm. Economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, 63, and former health minister Katsunobu Kato, 68, are expected to announce their bids next week.

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Sep 6, 2024 | KYODO NEWS