Junichiro Koizumi, Former Prime Minister's Second Son
Running for LDP Presidency... Press Conference After Next Week
Strengths: Non-Factional, Young Politics
Environmental Minister Remarks Pose Variable
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will run in next month's LDP presidential election. In Japan's parliamentary system, the ruling party's president usually becomes the prime minister, so this is effectively a declaration of a challenge for the prime ministership. With more than 10 candidates already expressing their intention to run, a crowded race is expected, and there is growing interest in Japan over whether former Environment Minister Koizumi can gain the upper hand.
On the 22nd, Japan's TBS reported that former Environment Minister Koizumi has informed surrounding lawmakers of his intention to run in the presidential election. Koizumi has already secured the 20 endorsements required for candidacy and is coordinating a schedule to hold a press conference announcing his candidacy sometime after next week.
Former Environment Minister Koizumi has been meeting daily with lawmakers who have expressed their support. A source in Japanese political circles told TBS, "He has already met the required number of endorsers, and he has secured over 40 supporters evenly distributed across all factions." A lawmaker who attended one of the political gatherings said, "He directly stated that he is seriously considering running." In addition, discussions related to policies to be proposed in the presidential election are reportedly underway.
Koizumi is the second son of Junichiro Koizumi, who served as Japan's 87th to 89th prime minister. He entered politics after winning a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2009 election. Thanks to the label "Koizumi Prime Minister's son" and his actor older brother, he gained high name recognition. Later, in 2019, during the second Abe administration, he was appointed Environment Minister, a position equivalent to South Korea's Minister of Environment, for the first time. While serving as Environment Minister, he represented Japan at the United Nations Climate Change Conference and left behind a vague remark that "climate change should be addressed in a Fun, Cool, and Sexy way," which sparked controversy over his competence. Because of this, in South Korea, he became better known by the nickname "FunCoolSexy" rather than his real name, Shinjiro Koizumi. In Japan, this remark also became a meme among netizens and gained popularity as an internet trend.
However, he currently enjoys high approval ratings, ranking second in suitability polls for the next prime minister. According to a regular poll conducted by JNN on June 3-4 with 2,329 men and women nationwide, when asked "Who is suitable as the next prime minister within the LDP?" the results were: former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba in first place (23.1%), former Environment Minister Koizumi in second (14.5%), and Digital Minister Taro Kono in third (7.1%). JNN explained, "There has been no change in the rankings since May."
Former Environment Minister Koizumi participating in carrying ice to cool drinks at a local festival. (Photo by Shinjiro Koizumi Official SNS)
Japanese media expect that amid the LDP's gloomy atmosphere caused by the Abe faction's slush fund scandal, former Environment Minister Koizumi will appeal for reform with his name recognition and youthful image. Especially as the major LDP factions are being dismantled due to the slush fund scandal, the fact that he does not belong to any particular faction is also an advantage. Above all, his close relationship with former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who is considered a leader among non-faction lawmakers, is expected to work in his favor. It is reported that Suga has already unofficially expressed his intention to support Koizumi.
The Yomiuri Shimbun analyzed, "Since he is called the 'face of the election,' voices of expectation are emerging within the LDP, and with former Prime Minister Suga willing to support him, Koizumi's candidacy is likely to influence the prime ministerial election dynamics."
However, the nickname "FunCoolSexy" is expected to continue to be a hindrance. Asahi reported, "Within the party, many people view his leadership capabilities as uncertain due to his limited experience in key positions and his remarks during his time as Environment Minister."
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