Photo/Illutration Kenta Izumi announces his candidacy for the presidency of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan at a news conference in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on Sept. 6. (Takeshi Iwashita)

On the eve of the start of campaigning, Kenta Izumi, president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, announced on Sept. 6 that he will seek re-election later this month.

He announced his late entry into the presidential election at a news conference held at the CDP headquarters in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward after gaining the required number of endorsements.

“I’m prepared to run for president," said Izumi, 50. "We are aiming to gain power in the next Lower House election and I’ll be the one who initiates it."

The campaign will start on Sept. 7 with the vote and ballot counting on Sept. 23.

Izumi's announcement followed those of former CDP President Yukio Edano, 60, and former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, 67.

“I’m the incumbent president but I’ll take on the battle as a challenger," Izumi told reporters. "I didn't lose to anyone in heading this party when it was going through tough times.”

Izumi had sought to enter the presidential election but struggled to obtain the 20 endorsements from lawmakers needed to run.

Izumi has been working on securing the support until midnight on Sept. 5 and finally announced his entry the next day before the official start of campaigning.

Izumi assumed the post after Edano stepped down to take responsibility for the CDP's defeat in the Lower House election in 2021.

Izumi has been strengthening ties with the Democratic Party For the People because it is difficult for the CDP to regain power on its own as a single party.

Izumi upheld a “mission-oriented Cabinet” in aiming to triumph in the next Lower House election by focusing on policies such as political reform, free education and forming a coalition with other opposition parties.

In addition to the three declared candidates, Kenji Eda, 68, a former CDP executive deputy president, and Harumi Yoshida, 52, are also trying to secure enough endorsements to enter the race.

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