Sanae Takaichi, a onetime internal affairs minister in the same conservative mold as her ally and mentor former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, cleared the minimum 20 backers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to enter the leadership vote to be held Sept. 29.

Takaichi, 60, also served as LDP policy chief under Abe and vowed to carry on his political torch, especially in regard to economic policies.

After Abe offered his backing, Takaichi unveiled a series of policy stances closely in line with those of Abe at a Sept. 8 news conference to announce her intention to run.

Takaichi becomes the second lawmaker to join the race after Fumio Kishida, a former foreign minister.

Takaichi not only said she would carry on Abe's economic measures known as "Abenomics," but also pledged to write a new Constitution and visit war-related Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo if she becomes prime minister.

The shrine was built to honor Japan's war dead but it also memorializes 14 Class-A war criminals. Past visits by prime ministers have triggered a hailstorm of criticism from China and South Korea, which harbor bitter memories of Japan's wartime aggression.

Abe viewed constitutional amendment a key policy plank even before he became prime minister. He was in power for nearly eight years and resigned abruptly a year ago citing ill-health.

His successor, Yoshihide Suga, is bowing out after only a year in the post in the face of dismal public approval ratings over his handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which triggered a revolt among younger party members who feared they would lose their seats if Suga remained in power for a crucial Lower House election expected to be held in October or November.

Takaichi also said she would work to push through legislation to give Japan pre-emptive strike capability against any country or organization planning an attack on Japan. Abe had long championed that policy change, but little progress was made under his successor.

Takaichi said her economic package of measures would be known as “Sanaenomics” and mirror the direction of Abe’s policies that focused on “three arrows,” including monetary easing and fiscal stimulus measures.

She added that the goal of achieving a surplus in the primary balance would be frozen until the inflation rate reaches 2 percent. A surplus means the government can fund its policies, including those for social security and public works projects, with tax and other revenue and without issuing bonds.

Abe had also set a 2-percent inflation rate, but the goal proved to be an elusive one.

The mirroring of Abe’s policy stances by Takaichi reflects the support she needed from the former prime minister to come up with the necessary 20 signatures by lawmakers required to formally enter the LDP presidential race.

On the evening of Sept. 7, Takaichi visited Abe at his home and sought his advice in preparing for the contest.

If Takaichi wins the LDP election, which is by no means a sure bet, Abe would be in a position to wield enormous influence over the government as it would make her Japan’s first female prime minister.

At a Sept. 8 meeting of the faction headed by former Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda, the largest in the LDP, Abe asked his fellow members to support Takaichi.

Abe’s support could, in turn, also influence the faction led by longtime Finance Minister Taro Aso, a close political ally of Abe. The Aso faction is the second largest in the LDP.

Taro Kono, the state minister in charge of administrative reform who is a member of the Aso faction, has also expressed an interest in running. He is regarded as having a fighting chance of winning as he is generally popular with voters.

Members of LDP factions that do not see eye-to-eye with Abe were seething over his blatant maneuvering to maintain influence over the party.

Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister and secretary-general, ran twice against Abe in LDP presidential races and lost. An executive of the LDP faction once headed by Ishiba said that if Takaichi wins, “it likely would mean the continuation of an Abe puppet government.”

In the meantime, the faction headed by hugely influential party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai, who is set to lose that post, is said to be butting heads with Abe.

“We have to try to paint the presidential race as one between Abe and anti-Abe forces,” said a veteran member of the Nikai faction.

(This article was written by Takashi Narazaki and Natsuki Okamura.)