Motegi Announces Candidacy to Succeed Ishiba as LDP President

Sep 08, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Following Prime Minister Ishiba's announcement of his resignation on September 7th, moves to select his successor within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are accelerating.

At an extraordinary LDP executive meeting held on the morning of September 8th, Ishiba reaffirmed his intention to step down. The meeting confirmed the party’s plan to hold an extraordinary presidential election to determine the next leader. A proposal has been raised to conduct the election in a “full-scale” format, with combined votes from both Diet members and party members nationwide, on October 4th.

Meanwhile, potential candidates to succeed Ishiba are already beginning to move. Former Secretary-General Motegi, who previously ran in the last presidential race, announced to reporters: “I’m running for the LDP presidency. I want to devote my all to this country.”

Other names being mentioned include former Minister of Economic Security Takaichi, who placed highly in the 2024 leadership contest, and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi. Candidates are expected to step up their efforts to secure the 20 sponsors required to formally run in the race.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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