Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has indicated his intention not to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election scheduled for late next month, Kyodo News and other outlets reported on the 14th, citing remarks from senior government officials.
Kyodo News reported that Kishida expressed to those around him that "someone must take responsibility for the slush fund issue" as the reason for his decision not to run.
Although Kishida had not clearly stated his stance on whether to run in the leadership election until now, it appears he has ultimately decided not to run due to low cabinet approval ratings. Since the LDP "slush fund scandal" erupted at the end of last year, the cabinet's approval ratings have remained in the 10-20% range, leading to pressure for his resignation both inside and outside the party.
Local media are speculating that Kishida will hold a press conference at the Prime Minister's Official Residence today to directly announce his intention not to run in the leadership election.
Former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi are reportedly considering running in the next LDP leadership election. In Japan's parliamentary system, the leader of the majority party becomes the prime minister, and the current ruling party is the LDP.
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