TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Wednesday that he will not run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)’s presidential race next month to take responsibility for a slush funds scandal, setting the stage for his departure as premier after three years in power.
“As a first step to impress on the public that the LDP has changed, I have decided not to run in the presidential race,” Kyodo news agency quoted Kishida as saying at a press conference at the prime minister’s office.
LDP lawmakers “should work as one” under a new leader to restore public trust in politics and address various challenges such as implementing measures to curb the declining birthrate in an ageing society and to bolster defence capabilities, he added.
Kishida, who hosted the 2023 G7 summit in Hiroshima, has seen his cabinet’s approval ratings plummet to around 20% since the scandal broke late last year.
Kishida, who said he will continue to serve as a “rank-and-file” LDP member, declined to comment on who would be best the choice for next party chief and prime minister.
Despite his unpopularity, Kishida had been keen to secure re-election in the leadership race. But calls have been growing within the LDP for him to resign amid fears over how the LDP would fare in the next general election under his leadership, political pundits said.
So far, former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is popular with the public, has expressed his intention to run in the LDP presidential election. Ishiba previously served as LDP secretary general, the second-highest position within the ruling party.
Digital Minister Taro Kono, a reform-minded and social media-savvy lawmaker, has informed LDP Vice President Taro Aso of his intention to run, according to a source.
LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi are also among those who may join the race. – August 14, 2024