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.