Five candidates are expected to run in the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election set for the 4th next month. In this election, former economic security minister Takaichi Sanae and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi Shinjiro have emerged as leading contenders.
The Mainichi Shimbun reported on the 13th that Finance Minister Kato Katsunobu and former Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko are also exploring bids, but they are struggling to secure the 20 endorsements required to register, so the actual field will likely narrow to five. Within the LDP, there is also talk that "there will be no further declarations of candidacy."
The five who have confirmed their bids are Motegi Toshimitsu, former LDP secretary-general; former economic security minister Takaichi; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi; Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa; and Kobayashi Takayuki, former economic security minister. Motegi, the former secretary-general, already held a news conference on the 10th, and the remaining four are expected to officially declare their candidacies one after another next week.
In a public opinion survey conducted by Kyodo News on the 11th and 12th of 616 voters, former economic security minister Takaichi received 28% support and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi received 22.5%, placing first and second. A wide gap emerged with third-place Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi (11.4%).
Takaichi is a hard-line conservative often called "the female Abe," and has consistently visited Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined. In last year's party leadership election, Takaichi placed first in the first round but lost in the runoff.
Koizumi, the agriculture minister, is the second son of former Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro and enjoys high name recognition. He, too, has made visits to Yasukuni Shrine, and in last year's party leadership election, he finished third in the first round.
Expectations are growing that this election will likely develop into a two-way race between Takaichi and Koizumi.