Ishiba Shigeru announces candidacy for main ruling LDP president

Aug 25, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Former Secretary-General of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party Ishiba Shigeru has declared his candidacy for party president.

He addressed his supporters at a shrine in the town of Yazu in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, on Saturday. This is the fifth time for Ishiba to run in a party presidential election.

Ishiba is the second person to announce his candidacy in the race to choose a successor to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio after former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki.

Ishiba said he will seek support with all his strength and heart. He said he views this race as his last and the culmination of 38 years of his political career. He said he will do so by drawing on his original aspirations.

Ishiba said when he was a child, a summer festival was held at the shrine that was bustling with people. He said Japan was not as affluent as now, but children and seniors alike were smiling. He said he is determined to bring back a bustling Japan where everyone can live with smiles.

Several lawmakers are expected to announce their candidacy next week.

Digital Transformation Minister Kono Taro is set to hold a news conference on Monday and former Environment Minister Koizumi Shinjiro on Friday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa is planning to declare his candidacy as early as next week, taking the situation of an approaching typhoon into consideration.

The party's current secretary-general, Motegi Toshimitsu, has decided to run, taking requests from members from the former Motegi faction into consideration. He is now looking into when to make an announcement.

Economic Security Minister Takaichi Sanae is seeking the right timing to announce her candidacy. A lawmaker close to her says the prospect of getting the required recommendations from 20 party lawmakers is now in sight.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Saito Ken says he has decided to take aim at the leadership race.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu and Noda Seiko, who ran in the last race, have all been working to secure endorsement from 20 people.

Upper House member Aoyama Shigeharu has expressed his hope to run. He said he wants to explain that there is a different option in the leadership race.

The number of candidates in an LDP presidential election has never been more than five since 1972. That was when the requirement of endorsements from party lawmakers was set. Observers say a record number of people may run in the upcoming race.

Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

Strong Quakes Strike Japan 11 Times Since April

Strong earthquakes have continued to shake parts of Japan in recent weeks, with 11 temblors measuring lower 5 or above on the Japanese seismic intensity scale recorded across the country since April 2026.

First Train of the Day Derails at Kintetsu Kyoto Station

A Kintetsu Railway train derailed inside Kyoto Station on the morning of June 29, forcing partial suspensions on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for the rest of the day and causing long delays that hit commuters, students and tourists.

Hikone Castle Stone Wall Collapses After Typhoon Deluge

A section of stone wall at Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original Edo-period castles and a National Treasure whose main keep remains intact more than 400 years after its construction, collapsed after heavy rain caused by Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, Hikone city officials said.

Japan Books Spot in World Cup Knockout Stage After Sweden Draw

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Japan Politics Daily: Takaichi Links Growth, Security and China Policy

Japan’s political agenda on June 29 centered on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s attempt to connect economic growth, national security and technological resilience, as the government moved toward a long-term economic blueprint while also responding to China’s expanded export controls and preparing a revision of Japan’s Arctic policy.

Seabed Resources Put Japan’s Ocean Strategy in Focus

Japan remains among the world’s leading nations in seabed resource development and should accelerate work to sharpen its technology, Democratic Party for the People upper house lawmaker Yoshihiko Yamada said, calling for broader ocean policy investment, stronger protection of sea lanes and a more active Japanese role in mine-clearing operations near the Strait of Hormuz.

China, Russia Send 15 Bombers And Other Aircraft Near Japan

Chinese and Russian bombers and other military aircraft flew around Japan on June 27, prompting Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to describe the joint activity as a show of force directed at Japan.

Japan and South Korea Agree to Strengthen AI and Training

Defense Minister Koizumi met with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on the morning of June 28, with the two ministers agreeing to continue cooperation between Japan and South Korea, as well as among Japan, the United States and South Korea.

Japan Politics Daily: Diet Moves On Defense And Election Rules

Japan’s political agenda on June 26 was dominated by national security, election regulation and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to reshape the country’s long-term economic strategy, as the Diet advanced measures that point to a broader shift in how the government is preparing for defense, technology and political campaigning.

Takaichi Government Targets 370 Trillion Yen Investment Push

The Takaichi government said on June 24 that public and private investment in 17 strategic fields, including AI and semiconductors, is expected to exceed 370 trillion yen by 2040, as it seeks to draw out private-sector spending and turn advanced technologies into economic growth.

Food Consumption Tax Cut to 1% From Next April to Be Proposed

A cross-party national council discussing a reduction in the consumption tax on food will present a draft proposal on June 24 calling for the rate to be lowered to 1% from April next year.

Imperial Reform Plan Advances as Emperor and Empress Deepen Ties in Belgium

The speakers and vice speakers of both houses of the Japanese Diet approved on June 22 the government’s outline for revising the Imperial Household Law and related measures aimed at securing the number of imperial family members, following what has been described as the consensus of the legislature.

< 2 3 4 5 >