Overview

• Agriculture Minister Shinjirō Koizumi confirmed his candidacy at a post‑cabinet briefing and said Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato would serve as his campaign’s election chief.
• Kato announced he will not run in the race and intends to lead Koizumi’s election strategy team.
• Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi formally entered the race, proposing a time‑limited, flat‑rate income tax cut for younger and working generations to counter price rises.
• Declared contender Toshimitsu Motegi stressed expanding coalition frameworks with ideologically compatible parties and rejected an immediate lower‑house dissolution, while arguing against a consumption‑tax cut in favor of large local grants to support wage gains.
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi was expected to announce his bid later Tuesday as endorsements for him surfaced, including from Upper House LDP chair Seiji Matsuyama and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, with the contest officially opening Sept. 22 and voting on Oct. 4.