Overview

• Hagiuda Kōichi, a former Abe‑faction heavyweight, publicly endorsed Takaichi Sanae, citing her bid to become Japan’s first female prime minister and questioning continuity pitches by rivals.
• Koizumi Shinjirō’s campaign lost its PR chief as Makishima Karen resigned after emails asked supporters to post templated praise on online videos.
• LDP lawmaker Ishii Junichi criticized party leaders for naming Hakubun Shimomura as Tokyo‑11 branch head, invoking testimony that he pushed to restart political funds ‘reflow.’
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi worked to contain backlash after saying he might not have backed a 20,000‑yen payout and that the prime minister’s resignation after defeat was inevitable.
• Veteran contender Toshimitsu Motegi reiterated a two‑year goal to revive the LDP and Japan’s economy, emphasizing his execution in diplomacy and economic policy.