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last mo.

LDP Leadership Race Takes Shape as Kobayashi Enters and Motegi Backs Gradual BOJ Shift

The next LDP leader is expected to become prime minister, requiring a Diet vote despite the coalition’s lost majority.

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Japan's outgoing foreign minister and secretary-general of the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Toshimitsu Motegi attends a news conference at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo, Japan November 4, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a tasting event of stockpiled rice in Tokyo, Japan May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

Overview

  • The Liberal Democratic Party scheduled a leadership election for October 4, with Shigeru Ishiba remaining in office until a successor is chosen.
  • Former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi announced his candidacy and said he has the 20 lawmaker endorsements required to run.
  • Ex-foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi, also in the race, endorsed a gradual normalization of Bank of Japan policy and proposed measures to spur corporate investment and support local governments.
  • Other figures reported as potential contenders include Sanae Takaichi, Shinjiro Koizumi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Katsunobu Kato and Kono Taro.
  • The winner is likely to become prime minister subject to a parliamentary vote, with the LDP-Komeito bloc lacking a majority and a campaign period set to follow a September 22 notice.