Photo/Illutration From left: Takayuki Kobayashi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi attend a debate in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward on Sept. 24. (Tetsuro Takehana)

None of the candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party presidency stood out in a debate hosted by the Japan National Press Club on Sept. 24, as they presented similar and vague stances on key issues.

The discussion, which covered such topics as cooperation with opposition parties, inflation countermeasures, and the continuation of policies from the Ishiba administration, revealed a cautious and inward-looking tone.

The party is conscious of public opinion that punished the LDP in the last two Diet elections.

With the party now reduced to a minority government in both the Lower House and the Upper House, the candidates are aiming to avoid conflict while creating the appearance of “internal harmony.”

The event was in a two-part format: a round of mutual questioning followed by a press Q&A.

Regarding cooperation with opposition parties, farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi, considered one of leading candidates, did not present a clear policy.

“Expanding the coalition is one option,” he said.

But he stopped short of offering a concrete direction, saying only, “It’s something that comes after building trust through efforts on social security and measures against rising prices.”

Another leading candidate, Sanae Takaichi, former minister of economic security, had expressed the previous day at a joint news conference her intention to pursue coalition expansion.

However, when asked by a reporter on Sept. 24 about which opposition parties she had in mind, she said that naming a party before assuming the presidency would be “disrespectful to the other party.”

Koizumi was asked why he is no longer advocating the introduction of a dual-surname system for married couples.

He explained, “We must make greater efforts to build consensus among the public and between ruling and opposition parties.”

Takaichi, who last year had expressed her intention to visit Yasukuni Shrine after becoming prime minister, reflected, “There was no need to say that when I hadn’t even become prime minister yet.”

She avoided making a firm commitment on visiting the war-related shrine, which other Asian countries view as a symbol of Japanese militarism.

“I will make an appropriate judgment,” she said.

On inflation countermeasures, all five candidates supported implementing a gasoline tax cut, which has already gained bipartisan agreement.

Koizumi and Takaichi also expressed support for raising the ceiling on taxable income, a policy advocated by the opposition Democratic Party for the People.

Statements supporting the continuation of policies from the Ishiba administration were also heard at the debate, including the establishment of a disaster management agency, improving conditions for Self-Defense Forces personnel, and responding to U.S. tariffs.

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