THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
August 17, 2024 at 17:19 JST
Takayuki Kobayashi, former minister in charge of economic security (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Takayuki Kobayashi, former minister in charge of economic security, has decided to run for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s presidential election in September.
He will formally announce his candidacy at a news conference on Aug. 19.
Kobayashi, 49, belongs to the Nikai faction.
Young and mid-career politicians who support Kobayashi are expected to attend the news conference.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, a member of the Kishida faction, has also decided to run and informed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, 67, and others of his intention to do so.
Katsunobu Kato, 68, the former chief Cabinet secretary who belongs to the Motegi faction, expressed his intention Aug. 16 to consider running for the position, saying on a TV program that he “will make a concrete move.”
Kato said he would seek support from a wide range of people regardless of whether they are members of the Motegi faction. This is because the faction’s leader, 68-year-old Toshimitsu Motegi, the LDP’s secretary-general, is also keen to run for the position.
But Kato said that the 20 supporters required for his candidacy “have yet to be determined.”
Taro Kono, 61, the digital transformation minister who belongs to the Aso faction, is also toying with making a run and met with Taro Aso, the LDP vice president, in Tokyo on Aug. 16.
According to several sources, Kono presented his candidacy policies and campaign strategies, which were met with “a certain degree of understanding” from Aso.
Kono said he is on track to secure 20 endorsers.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, 71, who belongs to the Kishida faction, informed several Lower House members in the faction on Aug. 16 of her intention to consider running for the leadership position.
On Aug. 14, Kishida announced he will not seek re-election in the LDP’s presidential race, citing fallout from the funding scandal in the ruling party.
Because of the LDP’s majority in the Diet, whoever succeeds Kishida is automatically guaranteed to become prime minister.
(This article was written by Shinichi Fujiwara and Taro Kotegawa.)
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