Candidates in the LDP leadership election-from left, Kono Taro, Kishida Fumio, Takaichi Sanae and Noda Seiko-pose before a debate hosted by the Japan National Press Club, in Tokyo, Sept. 18, 2021 (AP pool photo by Eugene Hoshiko).
A Refreshingly Competitive Leadership Race for Japan’s Ruling Party
Leadership elections in Japan’s long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party are generally predictable, even dull affairs. The head of the LDP is chosen through a nominally democratic process, but the real action traditionally unfolds behind closed doors, with factional bosses picking their favored candidate well in advance of the vote. Once a candidate gains a critical mass of support, the rest of the party tends to fall in line in a kind of bandwagon effect, lest they miss out on any of the political benefits that come with having bet on the winning horse.
In a refreshing change of pace, however, the campaign for the current party leadership contest that will be decided next Wednesday is looking competitive. Even before the highly unpopular incumbent prime minister, Suga Yoshihide, announced earlier this month that he would not seek reelection, two veteran lawmakers had declared their intent to challenge him for the top job in the LDP, and his resignation cleared the way for two more to join the race. Given the party’s control of parliament, whoever ends up winning will also serve as prime minister. ...