According to Jiji Press Poll
Hayashi Ranks Second, Takaichi Struggles
Key Issue in LDP Leadership Race: Measures Against Rising Prices
With just one week remaining until the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election in Japan, a recent survey has found that the highest number of party lawmakers support Shinjiro Koizumi, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
According to Jiji Press on September 26, a survey conducted among LDP lawmakers regarding their preferred candidate for the leadership election revealed that over 20% support Minister Koizumi, making him the most favored candidate. Considering there are 295 LDP lawmakers, it is estimated that around 60 to 70 lawmakers have expressed their support for Koizumi.
Minister Koizumi, who is in a two-way race with Sanae Takaichi, the former Minister for Economic Security, also received the most votes in the first round of last year's leadership election in September.
Jiji Press reported, "Minister Koizumi has received broad support from lawmakers, regardless of whether they belong to the dissolved Abe faction, the only remaining Aso faction, or are unaffiliated with any faction." The report also stated, "At the campaign kickoff event on September 22, a total of 92 people, including proxies, attended."
Sanae Takaichi, the former Minister for Economic Security and once considered a strong contender for the next prime minister alongside Koizumi, is reportedly struggling, with fewer than 40 lawmakers supporting her. Half of the lawmakers backing Takaichi are from the former Abe faction, and most are known to be conservative.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, has emerged as a dark horse, with support from over 50 lawmakers, making him the second most supported candidate after Koizumi. Jiji Press pointed out that for Minister Hayashi to break the Koizumi-Takaichi two-way race, he needs to secure more votes from party members.
It is estimated that about one-quarter of all lawmakers have yet to decide whom to support. Jiji Press noted, "About a quarter of lawmakers still have not made up their minds, leaving the political situation fluid."
In Japan's parliamentary system, the leader of the ruling party typically serves as prime minister and leads the government. Although both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors are currently controlled by opposition parties, the opposition remains divided. As a result, it is expected that the new LDP leader, who will be elected on October 4, will succeed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Meanwhile, price policy has emerged as a key issue in this LDP leadership election. Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported on this day, "Measures to address rising prices have become a central issue in the LDP leadership race."
In Japan, prices of goods such as rice are rising, but wage growth is not keeping pace, resulting in a decline in real wages. Prime Minister Ishiba's resignation was prompted not only by a slush fund scandal but also by inadequate measures to address high prices. In a public opinion poll conducted by the Asahi Shimbun on September 20-21, 45% of respondents cited high prices as the most important issue they want the new LDP leader to address, making it the top concern.
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