LDP's secretary general Toshimitsu Motegi announces candidacy for party leadership
Toshimitsu Motegi, the secretary general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has announced his candidacy for the party leadership in the upcoming election to succeed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Motegi, 68, is the fifth candidate to enter the race, which is set to take place on September 27.
As a key figure within the LDP and leader of one of its influential intraparty factions, Motegi has been a significant supporter of Kishida, although their relationship has reportedly cooled due to a political funds scandal that has affected the party. In his announcement, Motegi emphasized his commitment to producing tangible results, vowing to create a stable government capable of addressing both domestic and international challenges.
If elected as LDP leader, Motegi pledged not to raise taxes, to focus on economic growth, and to declare an official end to deflation within six months. He also committed to taking responsibility if these goals are not met within three years.
Motegi's extensive political experience includes serving as Japan's foreign and industry minister, as well as playing a crucial role in negotiating a trade deal with the United States during the Trump administration. This marks his first bid for the LDP leadership.
Other notable candidates in the race include Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Digital Minister Taro Kono, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi. The race is expected to be highly competitive, with potentially a record number of candidates vying for the position.
