Japan's Leadership Race: Candidates Vie for Prime Minister Position

The candidates to be Japan's next leader include a former premier's son and a defense expert

Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support. A record nine candidates seek the top job. Here are the main contenders: The son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi has been considered a potential prime minister candidate since he was elected to parliament in 2009. Despite his lack of experience, his background as a political blue blood, age and popularity are his strengths. Koizumi has vowed to change an "old-fashioned LDP" and accelerate reforms to revitalize Japan, including by making the job market more flexible. He said he will hold a snap election soon after taking office to seek the public's mandate. Koizumi supports a revision to a 19th century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands' surname. He wants to allow an option of keeping separate surnames that's supported by the country's powerful business lobby. He has said he will further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and expand a cooperation network with other like-minded nations to deter China's growing influence. He wants to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts soon after taking office, and hold talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il held talks in 2002 on the issue of abducted Japanese citizens. Shinjiro Koizumi regularly visits Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. As environment minister in 2019, Koizumi made his international debut at a United Nations summit, saying "a big-scale issue like climate change got to be fun, it's got to be cool, and it's got to be sexy, too." His choice of language was criticized as shallow. Koizumi holds a master's degree in political science from Columbia University. Ishiba is running in the leadership race for a fifth time. Political analysts put him and Koizumi as top two contenders. Despite his popularity among general voters, Ishiba has struggled to win enough support from fellow party lawmakers. He has said this will be his "final battle." Ishiba has served as defense minister and in other key posts and is a security and defense expert. He has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance. Ishiba is a supporter of Taiwan' s democracy. Ishiba vows to push for gender equality and measures to address low births and Japan's declining population. As economic security minister, Takaichi is making a second bid to become Japan's first female leader. A protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is a staunch conservative and attracts the right wing. In the 2021 party leadership vote, she finished third in a runoff. Takaichi has vowed to fortify Japan's resilience to natural disasters and security risks by bolstering food security, supply chains and military capability. A regular visitor to Yasukuni, Takaichi is known as a revisionist of Japan's wartime atrocities, and has called for a tougher stance on China. Takaichi supports the imperial family's male-only succession, and opposes same-sex marriage and a revision to the law that could allow women to keep their maiden names. Takaichi was elected to parliament in 1993 and has also served as minister of internal affairs and gender equality. She has said her role model is Margaret Thatcher. A Harvard-educated former think tank analyst, Kamikawa serves as top diplomat for Kishida and supports his foreign and defense policies. Kamikawa has a reputation for getting the job done. She has visited conflict zones including Ukraine and the Palestinian territories. She is known as low-key and diligent. As justice minister in 2018, she signed off on the death penalty for 13 members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult responsible for the 1995 sarin nerve gassing of Tokyo subways and other crimes. Once considered a maverick for criticizing party policies, Kono makes his third challenge after unsuccessfully running in 2009 and 2021. As digital minister, Kono has led the elimination of Japan's reliance on fax machines, paper documents requiring "hanko" stamps and the "my number" social security identification system. Son of former LDP Secretary General Yohei Kono, he has served as foreign and defense minister and was praised for pushing vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic. Kono has said Japan faces a worsening security environment in the region while at home, many people face a weakening economy, shrinking population and gender disparity that are tantamount to a "emergency." He supports Japan's ongoing military buildup, a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance and expanded defense cooperation with other like-minded nations. Despite his earlier support for a nuclear energy phase-out, Kono now supports maintaining it to meet soaring demands to power advanced data centers and AI. Kono has backpedaled from his support for a female emperor, a shift seen as an attempt to gain support from party conservatives. As party secretary general, Motegi holds the LDP's No. 2 position after Kishida. He has served as foreign and economy ministers and has a reputation as a tough negotiator. Motegi has said he will achieve economic growth that would end deflation and announced a "zero tax increase" plan that would reverse a tax hike plan adopted by Kishida's government to cover growing defense spending and greater support to address declining births. Motegi has said he will continue Kishida's security and foreign policies and "decisively" respond to China's coercive actions in the region. A graduate of University of Tokyo and Harvard University school of public policy, Motegi was elected to Japan's lower house in 1993 after working for consultancy McKinsey.

The Candidates to Be Japan's Next Leader Include a Former Premier's Son and a Defense Expert

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support. A record nine candidates, including two women, seek the top job. Here are the main contenders: Shinjiro Koizumi, 43 The son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi has been considered a potential prime minister candidate since he was elected to parliament in 2009. Despite his lack of experience, his background as a political blue blood, age and popularity are his strengths. Koizumi has vowed to change an "old-fashioned LDP" and accelerate reforms to revitalize Japan, including by making the job market more flexible. He said he will hold a snap election soon after taking office to seek the public's mandate. Koizumi supports a revision to a 19th century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands' surname. He wants to allow an option of keeping separate surnames that's supported by the country's powerful business lobby. He has said he will further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and expand a cooperation network with other like-minded nations to deter China's growing influence. He wants to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts soon after taking office, and hold talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il held talks in 2002 on the issue of abducted Japanese citizens. Shinjiro Koizumi regularly visits Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. As environment minister in 2019, Koizumi made his international debut at a United Nations summit, saying "a big-scale issue like climate change got to be fun, it's got to be cool, and it's got to be sexy, too." His choice of language was criticized as shallow. Koizumi holds a master's degree in political science from Columbia University. Shigeru Ishiba, 67 Ishiba is running in the leadership race for a fifth time. Political analysts put him and Koizumi as top two contenders. Despite his popularity among general voters, Ishiba has struggled to win enough support from fellow party lawmakers. He has said this will be his "final battle." Ishiba has served as defense minister and in other key posts and is a security and defense expert. He has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance. Ishiba is a supporter of Taiwan' s democracy. Ishiba vows to push for gender equality and measures to address low births and Japan's declining population. Sanae Takaichi, 63 As economic security minister, Takaichi is making a second bid to become Japan's first female leader. A protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is a staunch conservative and attracts the right wing. In the 2021 party leadership vote, she finished third in a runoff. Takaichi has vowed to fortify Japan's resilience to natural disasters and security risks by bolstering food security, supply chains and military capability. A regular visitor to Yasukuni, Takaichi is known as a revisionist of Japan's wartime atrocities, and has called for a tougher stance on China. Takaichi supports the imperial family's male-only succession, and opposes same-sex marriage and a revision to the law that could allow women to keep their maiden names. Takaichi was elected to parliament in 1993 and has also served as minister of internal affairs and gender equality. She has said her role model is Margaret Thatcher. Yoko Kamikawa, 71 A Harvard-educated former think tank analyst, Kamikawa serves as top diplomat for Kishida and supports his foreign and defense policies. Kamikawa has a reputation for getting the job done. She has visited conflict zones including Ukraine and the Palestinian territories. She is known as low-key and diligent. As justice minister in 2018, she signed off on the death penalty for 13 members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult responsible for the 1995 sarin nerve gassing of Tokyo subways and other crimes. Taro Kono, 61 Once considered a maverick for criticizing party policies, Kono makes his third challenge after unsuccessfully running in 2009 and 2021. As digital minister, Kono has led the elimination of Japan's reliance on fax machines, paper documents requiring "hanko" stamps and the "my number" social security identification system. Son of former LDP Secretary General Yohei Kono, he has served as foreign and defense minister and was praised for pushing vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic. Kono has said Japan faces a worsening security environment in the region while at home, many people face a weakening economy, shrinking population and gender disparity that are tantamount to a "emergency." He supports Japan's ongoing military buildup, a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance and expanded defense cooperation with other like-minded nations. Despite his earlier support for a nuclear energy phase-out, Kono now supports maintaining it to meet soaring demands to power advanced data centers and AI. Kono has backpedaled from his support for a female emperor, a shift seen as an attempt to gain support from party conservatives. Toshimitsu Motegi, 67 As party secretary general, Motegi holds the LDP's No. 2 position after Kishida. He has served as foreign and economy ministers and has a reputation as a tough negotiator. Motegi has said he will achieve economic growth that would end deflation and announced a "zero tax increase" plan that would reverse a tax hike plan adopted by Kishida's government to cover growing defense spending and greater support to address declining births. Motegi has said he will continue Kishida's security and foreign policies and "decisively" respond to China's coercive actions in the region. A graduate of University of Tokyo and Harvard University school of public policy, Motegi was elected to Japan's lower house in 1993 after working for consultancy McKinsey. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The candidates to be Japan's next leader include a former premier's son and a defense expert

Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support. A record nine candidates seek the top job. Here are the main contenders: The son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi has been considered a potential prime minister candidate since he was elected to parliament in 2009. Despite his lack of experience, his background as a political blue blood, age and popularity are his strengths. Koizumi has vowed to change an "old-fashioned LDP" and accelerate reforms to revitalize Japan, including by making the job market more flexible. He said he will hold a snap election soon after taking office to seek the public's mandate. Koizumi supports a revision to a 19th century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands' surname. He wants to allow an option of keeping separate surnames that's supported by the country's powerful business lobby. He has said he will further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and expand a cooperation network with other like-minded nations to deter China's growing influence. He wants to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts soon after taking office, and hold talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il held talks in 2002 on the issue of abducted Japanese citizens. Shinjiro Koizumi regularly visits Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. As environment minister in 2019, Koizumi made his international debut at a United Nations summit, saying "a big-scale issue like climate change got to be fun, it's got to be cool, and it's got to be sexy, too." His choice of language was criticized as shallow. Koizumi holds a master's degree in political science from Columbia University. Ishiba is running in the leadership race for a fifth time. Political analysts put him and Koizumi as top two contenders. Despite his popularity among general voters, Ishiba has struggled to win enough support from fellow party lawmakers. He has said this will be his "final battle." Ishiba has served as defense minister and in other key posts and is a security and defense expert. He has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance. Ishiba is a supporter of Taiwan' s democracy. Ishiba vows to push for gender equality and measures to address low births and Japan's declining population. As economic security minister, Takaichi is making a second bid to become Japan's first female leader. A protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is a staunch conservative and attracts the right wing. In the 2021 party leadership vote, she finished third in a runoff. Takaichi has vowed to fortify Japan's resilience to natural disasters and security risks by bolstering food security, supply chains and military capability. A regular visitor to Yasukuni, Takaichi is known as a revisionist of Japan's wartime atrocities, and has called for a tougher stance on China. Takaichi supports the imperial family's male-only succession, and opposes same-sex marriage and a revision to the law that could allow women to keep their maiden names. Takaichi was elected to parliament in 1993 and has also served as minister of internal affairs and gender equality. She has said her role model is Margaret Thatcher. A Harvard-educated former think tank analyst, Kamikawa serves as top diplomat for Kishida and supports his foreign and defense policies. Kamikawa has a reputation for getting the job done. She has visited conflict zones including Ukraine and the Palestinian territories. She is known as low-key and diligent. As justice minister in 2018, she signed off on the death penalty for 13 members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult responsible for the 1995 sarin nerve gassing of Tokyo subways and other crimes. Once considered a maverick for criticizing party policies, Kono makes his third challenge after unsuccessfully running in 2009 and 2021. As digital minister, Kono has led the elimination of Japan's reliance on fax machines, paper documents requiring "hanko" stamps and the "my number" social security identification system. Son of former LDP Secretary General Yohei Kono, he has served as foreign and defense minister and was praised for pushing vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic. Kono has said Japan faces a worsening security environment in the region while at home, many people face a weakening economy, shrinking population and gender disparity that are tantamount to a "emergency." He supports Japan's ongoing military buildup, a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance and expanded defense cooperation with other like-minded nations. Despite his earlier support for a nuclear energy phase-out, Kono now supports maintaining it to meet soaring demands to power advanced data centers and AI. Kono has backpedaled from his support for a female emperor, a shift seen as an attempt to gain support from party conservatives. As party secretary general, Motegi holds the LDP's No. 2 position after Kishida. He has served as foreign and economy ministers and has a reputation as a tough negotiator. Motegi has said he will achieve economic growth that would end deflation and announced a "zero tax increase" plan that would reverse a tax hike plan adopted by Kishida's government to cover growing defense spending and greater support to address declining births. Motegi has said he will continue Kishida's security and foreign policies and "decisively" respond to China's coercive actions in the region. A graduate of University of Tokyo and Harvard University school of public policy, Motegi was elected to Japan's lower house in 1993 after working for consultancy McKinsey.

Who's vying to be Japan's next prime minister?

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday unveiled the nine candidates who will run in a Sept. 27 leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Here are the leading contenders based on public opinion polls. SHIGERU ISHIBA, 67 The former defence minister is making his fifth and, he says, final bid to lead a party that has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades. Ishiba leads in most opinion polls, with 28% of respondents in an NHK survey on Sept. 9 favouring him as Kishida's successor. He is alone among the candidates in calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy such as geothermal and supports legislation that would allow female emperors, a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers. His economic strategy includes boosting wages to counter rising prices and possibly exempting some goods from the Japan's 10% sales tax to help lower income citizens. He backs the Bank of Japan's policy to gradually raise interest rates but has said it is unclear whether the timing is right for any new hikes now. He has also proposed establishing a disaster management agency to build shelters and wants to improve conditions for military personnel to ensure ageing Japan has enough troops for its defence. The son of a former prefectural governor and cabinet minister he is a rare Christian in a country dominated by Buddhism and Shinto. He is known for building model ships and planes. SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 43 The youngest candidate, Koizumi is the son of a former prime minister and heir to a political dynasty that has had a hand in governing Japan for over a century. He has presented himself as a reformer able to restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would become Japan's youngest prime minister in eight decades. Favoured in media polls by younger voters and women, he has promised to call a general election that could see Japanese voters go to the polls before the U.S. presidential vote in November. Koizumi has promised to accelerate Kishida's policies to foster dynamic economic growth that can adapt to technological change including the rise of artificial intelligence. The Columbia University-educated lawmaker has proposed opening up Japan's regulated taxi market to ride-sharing and is promising financial support for pensioners and low-income households. He has said he will push for higher wages at small and medium-sized companies, while also making it easier for firms to lay off workers. He supports legislation to allow women to retain their maiden names and wants to allow female emperors despite opposition from many LDP lawmakers. He also backs a revision to Japan's war-renouncing constitution. A keen surfer, Koizumi is married to French-Japanese TV personality and one of his brothers, Kotaro Koizumi, is a well known actor in Japan. SANAE TAKAICHI, 63 Representing the LDP's right wing, Takaichi serves as Japan's economic security minister. She is the leading female candidate in the race and ran against Kishida in 2021. She is known for her conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution and is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni war shrine, which is seen by some Asian countries as a symbol of past militarism. She also opposes allowing women to retain their maiden names, arguing that doing so would undermine tradition. Takaichi courted controversy in 2016 when she suggested the government could revoke broadcasting licences of media companies deemed to be politically biased. Takaichi said she would prioritize economic growth to strengthen Japan's international standing, while using 'strategic spending' to boost employment and consumer sentiment. TARO KONO, 61 With the support of rank-and-file LDP members, Kono was a leading leadership candidate three years ago but lost in a run-off to Kishida who had backing from more LDP lawmakers. This time, Kono, who as digital minister is trying to phase out fax machines, has lagged in opinion polls. The third generation LDP lawmaker, who was educated at Georgetown University and served as Japan's foreign minister and defence minister, says his connections would give him an advantage in dealing with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Kono says he would reform labour markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers and to help people retrain for higher-wage jobs. In the campaign he has drawn attention for suggesting that Japan deploy nuclear-powered submarines to guard maritime choke points in the waters around the country. OTHER CANDIDATES Other candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the secretary-general of the LDP, who has also served as foreign minister and trade and economy minister. Yoko Kamikawa, 71, Japan's current foreign minister, is also running as well as former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, who at 49 is the second-youngest candidate after Koizumi. Joining them in the race are Katsunobu Kato, 68, who has served as health and labour minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the current holder of that position, Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, who is also a former defence minister and foreign minister. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

Who's vying to be Japan's next prime minister?

TOKYO - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday unveiled the nine candidates who will run in a Sept. 27 leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Here are the leading contenders based on public opinion polls. SHIGERU ISHIBA, 67 The former defence minister is making his fifth and, he says, final bid to lead a party that has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades. Ishiba leads in most opinion polls, with 28% of respondents in an NHK survey on Sept. 9 favouring him as Kishida's successor. He is alone among the candidates in calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy such as geothermal and supports legislation that would allow female emperors, a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers. His economic strategy includes boosting wages to counter rising prices and possibly exempting some goods from the Japan's 10% sales tax to help lower income citizens. He backs the Bank of Japan's policy to gradually raise interest rates but has said it is unclear whether the timing is right for any new hikes now. He has also proposed establishing a disaster management agency to build shelters and wants to improve conditions for military personnel to ensure ageing Japan has enough troops for its defence. The son of a former prefectural governor and cabinet minister he is a rare Christian in a country dominated by Buddhism and Shinto. He is known for building model ships and planes. SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 43 The youngest candidate, Koizumi is the son of a former prime minister and heir to a political dynasty that has had a hand in governing Japan for over a century. He has presented himself as a reformer able to restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would become Japan's youngest prime minister in eight decades. Favoured in media polls by younger voters and women, he has promised to call a general election that could see Japanese voters go to the polls before the U.S. presidential vote in November. Koizumi has promised to accelerate Kishida's policies to foster dynamic economic growth that can adapt to technological change including the rise of artificial intelligence. The Columbia University-educated lawmaker has proposed opening up Japan's regulated taxi market to ride-sharing and is promising financial support for pensioners and low-income households. He has said he will push for higher wages at small and medium-sized companies, while also making it easier for firms to lay off workers. He supports legislation to allow women to retain their maiden names and wants to allow female emperors despite opposition from many LDP lawmakers. He also backs a revision to Japan's war-renouncing constitution. A keen surfer, Koizumi is married to French-Japanese TV personality and one of his brothers, Kotaro Koizumi, is a well known actor in Japan. SANAE TAKAICHI, 63 Representing the LDP's right wing, Takaichi serves as Japan's economic security minister. She is the leading female candidate in the race and ran against Kishida in 2021. She is known for her conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution and is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni war shrine, which is seen by some Asian countries as a symbol of past militarism. She also opposes allowing women to retain their maiden names, arguing that doing so would undermine tradition. Takaichi courted controversy in 2016 when she suggested the government could revoke broadcasting licences of media companies deemed to be politically biased. Takaichi said she would prioritize economic growth to strengthen Japan's international standing, while using 'strategic spending' to boost employment and consumer sentiment. TARO KONO, 61 With the support of rank-and-file LDP members, Kono was a leading leadership candidate three years ago but lost in a run-off to Kishida who had backing from more LDP lawmakers. This time, Kono, who as digital minister is trying to phase out fax machines, has lagged in opinion polls. The third generation LDP lawmaker, who was educated at Georgetown University and served as Japan's foreign minister and defence minister, says his connections would give him an advantage in dealing with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Kono says he would reform labour markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers and to help people retrain for higher-wage jobs. In the campaign he has drawn attention for suggesting that Japan deploy nuclear-powered submarines to guard maritime choke points in the waters around the country. OTHER CANDIDATES Other candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the secretary-general of the LDP, who has also served as foreign minister and trade and economy minister. Yoko Kamikawa, 71, Japan's current foreign minister, is also running as well as former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, who at 49 is the second-youngest candidate after Koizumi. Joining them in the race are Katsunobu Kato, 68, who has served as health and labour minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the current holder of that position, Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, who is also a former defence minister and foreign minister. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

Candidates for Japan's next leader include former premier's son, defence expert

Tokyo, Sep 12 (AP) Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support. Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support. ADVERTISEMENT A record nine candidates seek the top job. Here are the main contenders: Shinjiro Koizumi, 43 The son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi has been considered a potential prime minister candidate since he was elected to parliament in 2009. Despite his lack of experience, his background as a political blue blood, age and popularity are his strengths. Koizumi has vowed to change an "old-fashioned LDP" and accelerate reforms to revitalize Japan, including by making the job market more flexible. He said he will hold a snap election soon after taking office to seek the public's mandate. Koizumi supports a revision to a 19th-century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands' surnames. He wants to allow an option of keeping separate surnames that is supported by the country's powerful business lobby. He has said he will further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and expand a cooperation network with other like-minded nations to deter China's growing influence. He wants to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts soon after taking office, and hold talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il held talks in 2002 on the issue of abducted Japanese citizens. Shinjiro Koizumi regularly visits Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Asian neighbours as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. As environment minister in 2019, Koizumi made his international debut at a United Nations summit, saying "a big-scale issue like climate change got to be fun, it's got to be cool, and it's got to be sexy, too." His choice of language was criticized as shallow. Koizumi holds a master's degree in political science from Columbia University. Shigeru Ishiba, 67 Ishiba is running in the leadership race for a fifth time. Political analysts put him and Koizumi as top two contenders. Despite his popularity among general voters, Ishiba has struggled to win enough support from fellow party lawmakers. He has said this will be his "final battle." Ishiba has served as defence minister and in other key posts and is a security and defense expert. He has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance. Ishiba is a supporter of Taiwan' s democracy. Ishiba vows to push for gender equality and measures to address low births and Japan's declining population. Sanae Takaichi, 63 As economic security minister, Takaichi is making a second bid to become Japan's first female leader. A protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is a staunch conservative and attracts the right wing. In the 2021 party leadership vote, she finished third in a runoff. Takaichi has vowed to fortify Japan's resilience to natural disasters and security risks by bolstering food security, supply chains and military capability. A regular visitor to Yasukuni, Takaichi is known as a revisionist of Japan's wartime atrocities and has called for a tougher stance on China. Takaichi supports the imperial family's male-only succession and opposes same-sex marriage and a revision to the law that could allow women to keep their maiden names. Takaichi was elected to parliament in 1993 and has also served as minister of internal affairs and gender equality. She has said her role model is Margaret Thatcher. Yoko Kamikawa, 71 A Harvard-educated former think tank analyst, Kamikawa serves as a top diplomat for Kishida and supports his foreign and defence policies. Kamikawa has a reputation for getting the job done. She has visited conflict zones including Ukraine and the Palestinian territories. She is known as low-key and diligent. As justice minister in 2018, she signed off on the death penalty for 13 members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult responsible for the 1995 sarin nerve gassing of Tokyo subways and other crimes. Taro Kono, 61 Once considered a maverick for criticizing party policies, Kono makes his third challenge after unsuccessfully running in 2009 and 2021. As digital minister, Kono has led the elimination of Japan's reliance on fax machines, paper documents requiring "hanko" stamps and the "my number" social security identification system. Son of former LDP Secretary General Yohei Kono, he has served as foreign and defense minister and was praised for pushing vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic. Kono has said Japan faces a worsening security environment in the region while at home, many people face a weakening economy, shrinking population and gender disparity that are tantamount to a "emergency." He supports Japan's ongoing military buildup, a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance and expanded defense cooperation with other like-minded nations. Despite his earlier support for a nuclear energy phase-out, Kono now supports maintaining it to meet soaring demands to power advanced data centers and AI. Kono has backpedalled from his support for a female emperor, a shift seen as an attempt to gain support from party conservatives. Toshimitsu Motegi, 67 As party secretary general, Motegi holds the LDP's No. 2 position after Kishida. He has served as foreign and economy ministers and has a reputation as a tough negotiator. Motegi has said he will achieve economic growth that would end deflation and announced a "zero tax increase" plan that would reverse a tax hike plan adopted by Kishida's government to cover growing defence spending and greater support to address declining births. Motegi has said he will continue Kishida's security and foreign policies and "decisively" respond to China's coercive actions in the region. A graduate of University of Tokyo and Harvard University school of public policy, Motegi was elected to Japan's lower house in 1993 after working for consultancy McKinsey.

Factbox-Who's Vying to Be Japan's Next Prime Minister?

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday unveiled the nine candidates who will run in a Sept. 27 leadership election to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Here are the leading contenders based on public opinion polls. SHIGERU ISHIBA, 67 The former defence minister is making his fifth and, he says, final bid to lead a party that has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades. Ishiba leads in most opinion polls, with 28% of respondents in an NHK survey on Sept. 9 favouring him as Kishida's successor. He is alone among the candidates in calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy such as geothermal and supports legislation that would allow female emperors, a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers. His economic strategy includes boosting wages to counter rising prices and possibly exempting some goods from the Japan's 10% sales tax to help lower income citizens. He backs the Bank of Japan's policy to gradually raise interest rates but has said it is unclear whether the timing is right for any new hikes now. He has also proposed establishing a disaster management agency to build shelters and wants to improve conditions for military personnel to ensure ageing Japan has enough troops for its defence. The son of a former prefectural governor and cabinet minister he is a rare Christian in a country dominated by Buddhism and Shinto. He is known for building model ships and planes. SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 43 The youngest candidate, Koizumi is the son of a former prime minister and heir to a political dynasty that has had a hand in governing Japan for over a century. He has presented himself as a reformer able to restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would become Japan's youngest prime minister in eight decades. Favoured in media polls by younger voters and women, he has promised to call a general election that could see Japanese voters go to the polls before the U.S. presidential vote in November. Koizumi has promised to accelerate Kishida's policies to foster dynamic economic growth that can adapt to technological change including the rise of artificial intelligence. The Columbia University-educated lawmaker has proposed opening up Japan's regulated taxi market to ride-sharing and is promising financial support for pensioners and low-income households. He has said he will push for higher wages at small and medium-sized companies, while also making it easier for firms to lay off workers. He supports legislation to allow women to retain their maiden names and wants to allow female emperors despite opposition from many LDP lawmakers. He also backs a revision to Japan's war-renouncing constitution. A keen surfer, Koizumi is married to French-Japanese TV personality and one of his brothers, Kotaro Koizumi, is a well known actor in Japan. SANAE TAKAICHI, 63 Representing the LDP's right wing, Takaichi serves as Japan's economic security minister. She is the leading female candidate in the race and ran against Kishida in 2021. She is known for her conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution and is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni war shrine, which is seen by some Asian countries as a symbol of past militarism. She also opposes allowing women to retain their maiden names, arguing that doing so would undermine tradition. Takaichi courted controversy in 2016 when she suggested the government could revoke broadcasting licences of media companies deemed to be politically biased. Takaichi said she would prioritize economic growth to strengthen Japan's international standing, while using 'strategic spending' to boost employment and consumer sentiment. TARO KONO, 61 With the support of rank-and-file LDP members, Kono was a leading leadership candidate three years ago but lost in a run-off to Kishida who had backing from more LDP lawmakers. This time, Kono, who as digital minister is trying to phase out fax machines, has lagged in opinion polls. The third generation LDP lawmaker, who was educated at Georgetown University and served as Japan's foreign minister and defence minister, says his connections would give him an advantage in dealing with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Kono says he would reform labour markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers and to help people retrain for higher-wage jobs. In the campaign he has drawn attention for suggesting that Japan deploy nuclear-powered submarines to guard maritime choke points in the waters around the country. OTHER CANDIDATES Other candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the secretary-general of the LDP, who has also served as foreign minister and trade and economy minister. Yoko Kamikawa, 71, Japan's current foreign minister, is also running as well as former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, who at 49 is the second-youngest candidate after Koizumi. Joining them in the race are Katsunobu Kato, 68, who has served as health and labour minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the current holder of that position, Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, who is also a former defence minister and foreign minister. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

The candidates to be Japan's next leader include a former premier's son and a defense expert

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement. They hope to shake off scandals that have dogged his government and regain public support. A record nine candidates, including two women, seek the top job. Here are the main contenders: Shinjiro Koizumi, 43 The son of popular former premier Junichiro Koizumi has been considered a potential prime minister candidate since he was elected to parliament in 2009. Despite his lack of experience, his background as a political blue blood, age and popularity are his strengths. Koizumi has vowed to change an "old-fashioned LDP" and accelerate reforms to revitalize Japan, including by making the job market more flexible. He said he will hold a snap election soon after taking office to seek the public's mandate. Koizumi supports a revision to a 19th century civil code requiring married couples to choose one of their surnames, which has caused most women to adopt their husbands' surname. He wants to allow an option of keeping separate surnames that's supported by the country's powerful business lobby. He has said he will further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and expand a cooperation network with other like-minded nations to deter China's growing influence. He wants to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts soon after taking office, and hold talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un. Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il held talks in 2002 on the issue of abducted Japanese citizens. Shinjiro Koizumi regularly visits Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism. As environment minister in 2019, Koizumi made his international debut at a United Nations summit, saying "a big-scale issue like climate change got to be fun, it's got to be cool, and it's got to be sexy, too." His choice of language was criticized as shallow. Koizumi holds a master's degree in political science from Columbia University. Shigeru Ishiba, 67 Ishiba is running in the leadership race for a fifth time. Political analysts put him and Koizumi as top two contenders. Despite his popularity among general voters, Ishiba has struggled to win enough support from fellow party lawmakers. He has said this will be his "final battle." Ishiba has served as defense minister and in other key posts and is a security and defense expert. He has proposed an Asian version of the NATO military alliance. Ishiba is a supporter of Taiwan' s democracy. Ishiba vows to push for gender equality and measures to address low births and Japan's declining population. Sanae Takaichi, 63 As economic security minister, Takaichi is making a second bid to become Japan's first female leader. A protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is a staunch conservative and attracts the right wing. In the 2021 party leadership vote, she finished third in a runoff. Takaichi has vowed to fortify Japan's resilience to natural disasters and security risks by bolstering food security, supply chains and military capability. A regular visitor to Yasukuni, Takaichi is known as a revisionist of Japan's wartime atrocities, and has called for a tougher stance on China. Takaichi supports the imperial family's male-only succession, and opposes same-sex marriage and a revision to the law that could allow women to keep their maiden names. Takaichi was elected to parliament in 1993 and has also served as minister of internal affairs and gender equality. She has said her role model is Margaret Thatcher. Yoko Kamikawa, 71 A Harvard-educated former think tank analyst, Kamikawa serves as top diplomat for Kishida and supports his foreign and defense policies. Kamikawa has a reputation for getting the job done. She has visited conflict zones including Ukraine and the Palestinian territories. She is known as low-key and diligent. As justice minister in 2018, she signed off on the death penalty for 13 members of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult responsible for the 1995 sarin nerve gassing of Tokyo subways and other crimes. Taro Kono, 61 Once considered a maverick for criticizing party policies, Kono makes his third challenge after unsuccessfully running in 2009 and 2021. As digital minister, Kono has led the elimination of Japan's reliance on fax machines, paper documents requiring "hanko" stamps and the "my number" social security identification system. Son of former LDP Secretary General Yohei Kono, he has served as foreign and defense minister and was praised for pushing vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic. Kono has said Japan faces a worsening security environment in the region while at home, many people face a weakening economy, shrinking population and gender disparity that are tantamount to a "emergency." He supports Japan's ongoing military buildup, a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance and expanded defense cooperation with other like-minded nations. Despite his earlier support for a nuclear energy phase-out, Kono now supports maintaining it to meet soaring demands to power advanced data centers and AI. Kono has backpedaled from his support for a female emperor, a shift seen as an attempt to gain support from party conservatives. Toshimitsu Motegi, 67 As party secretary general, Motegi holds the LDP's No. 2 position after Kishida. He has served as foreign and economy ministers and has a reputation as a tough negotiator. Motegi has said he will achieve economic growth that would end deflation and announced a "zero tax increase" plan that would reverse a tax hike plan adopted by Kishida's government to cover growing defense spending and greater support to address declining births. Motegi has said he will continue Kishida's security and foreign policies and "decisively" respond to China's coercive actions in the region. A graduate of University of Tokyo and Harvard University school of public policy, Motegi was elected to Japan's lower house in 1993 after working for consultancy McKinsey. ___ Find more AP Asia-Pacific news at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific

Factbox-Who's vying to be Japan's next prime minister?

Here are the leading contenders based on public opinion polls. The former defence minister is making his fifth and, he says, final bid to lead a party that has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades. Ishiba leads in most opinion polls, with 28% of respondents in an NHK survey on Sept. 9 favouring him as Kishida's successor. He is alone among the candidates in calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy such as geothermal and supports legislation that would allow female emperors, a view opposed by many LDP lawmakers. His economic strategy includes boosting wages to counter rising prices and possibly exempting some goods from the Japan's 10% sales tax to help lower income citizens. He backs the Bank of Japan's policy to gradually raise interest rates but has said it is unclear whether the timing is right for any new hikes now. He has also proposed establishing a disaster management agency to build shelters and wants to improve conditions for military personnel to ensure ageing Japan has enough troops for its defence. The son of a former prefectural governor and cabinet minister he is a rare Christian in a country dominated by Buddhism and Shinto. He is known for building model ships and planes. The youngest candidate, Koizumi is the son of a former prime minister and heir to a political dynasty that has had a hand in governing Japan for over a century. He has presented himself as a reformer able to restore public trust in a party mired in scandals. If elected, he would become Japan's youngest prime minister in eight decades. Favoured in media polls by younger voters and women, he has promised to call a general election that could see Japanese voters go to the polls before the U.S. presidential vote in November. Koizumi has promised to accelerate Kishida's policies to foster dynamic economic growth that can adapt to technological change including the rise of artificial intelligence. The Columbia University-educated lawmaker has proposed opening up Japan's regulated taxi market to ride-sharing and is promising financial support for pensioners and low-income households. He has said he will push for higher wages at small and medium-sized companies, while also making it easier for firms to lay off workers. He supports legislation to allow women to retain their maiden names and wants to allow female emperors despite opposition from many LDP lawmakers. He also backs a revision to Japan's war-renouncing constitution. A keen surfer, Koizumi is married to French-Japanese TV personality and one of his brothers, Kotaro Koizumi, is a well known actor in Japan. Representing the LDP's right wing, Takaichi serves as Japan's economic security minister. She is the leading female candidate in the race and ran against Kishida in 2021. She is known for her conservative views, including revising the pacifist constitution and is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni war shrine, which is seen by some Asian countries as a symbol of past militarism. She also opposes allowing women to retain their maiden names, arguing that doing so would undermine tradition. Takaichi courted controversy in 2016 when she suggested the government could revoke broadcasting licences of media companies deemed to be politically biased. Takaichi said she would prioritize economic growth to strengthen Japan's international standing, while using 'strategic spending' to boost employment and consumer sentiment. With the support of rank-and-file LDP members, Kono was a leading leadership candidate three years ago but lost in a run-off to Kishida who had backing from more LDP lawmakers. This time, Kono, who as digital minister is trying to phase out fax machines, has lagged in opinion polls. The third generation LDP lawmaker, who was educated at Georgetown University and served as Japan's foreign minister and defence minister, says his connections would give him an advantage in dealing with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Kono says he would reform labour markets to improve pay and conditions for millions of part-time workers and to help people retrain for higher-wage jobs. In the campaign he has drawn attention for suggesting that Japan deploy nuclear-powered submarines to guard maritime choke points in the waters around the country. Other candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 68, the secretary-general of the LDP, who has also served as foreign minister and trade and economy minister. Yoko Kamikawa, 71, Japan's current foreign minister, is also running as well as former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi, who at 49 is the second-youngest candidate after Koizumi. Joining them in the race are Katsunobu Kato, 68, who has served as health and labour minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the current holder of that position, Yoshimasa Hayashi, 63, who is also a former defence minister and foreign minister. (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)