In the LDP Leadership Election Debate, Questions Focus on Koizumi and Ishiba Among 9 Candidates

Koizumi "Reconsider Japan's Dismissal Regulations... Hope to Engage in New Dialogue with Buk"
Isaba "Reduce Nuclear Power and Increase the Share of Renewable Energy"

A photo of Shinjiro Koizumi, former Minister of the Environment and one of Japan's next prime minister candidates.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

At the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential candidate debate in Japan, nine candidates participated, but the questions were concentrated on former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba. Both candidates received the highest number of questions during the candidate-to-candidate questioning, with three questions each.

The Japan National Press Club held a public debate for the LDP presidential election candidates on the 14th at the Japan Press Center in Tokyo. The debate was conducted in a format where each of the nine candidates selected another candidate to question. This was followed by questions from journalists. The questions were mainly directed at former Environment Minister Koizumi and former Secretary-General Ishiba.

Regarding the question on easing regulations on corporate layoffs, which Koizumi raised at his campaign press conference, he stated, "It is not easing but a review," adding, "The goal is to increase labor market fluidity." Following the joint press conference of candidates held on the 13th, he reiterated his commitment to resolving the issue of abductees. Koizumi expressed his willingness to meet North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un unconditionally once again. He said, "If I become Prime Minister, I will be of the same generation as the North Korean leader," and added, "I will seek opportunities for new dialogue without being bound by previous approaches or preconditions." Koizumi was born in 1981, and Kim Jong-un was born in 1984.

He also emphasized that regarding the nomination of a lawmaker who was disciplined over a slush fund issue for the next House of Representatives election, "After the dissolution of the House of Representatives, the party executive will make a strict final decision on whether to nominate the candidate." Questions also continued to be directed at former Secretary-General Ishiba, who is considered a strong contender alongside Koizumi. In response to questions about energy policy, Ishiba said he would increase the share of renewable energy and reduce nuclear power generation.

Ishiba stated, "We must not forget the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster," adding, "We must maximize the potential of renewable energy and also maximize energy conservation. As a result, the share of nuclear power will decrease." Regarding Koizumi’s statement that he would dissolve the House of Representatives early if he became Prime Minister, Ishiba took a cautious stance, saying, "I will not say something like 'I will dissolve it immediately.'"

Among the nine LDP presidential candidates, two candidates have formed a strong two-horse race, each recording support rates exceeding 20% in major media opinion polls.