Going to the country | Today in Japanese politics

LDP and CDP candidates crisscross the nation, another blow for Hyōgo's governor, and Japan revises GDP numbers downward

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The rundown

Takaichi Sanae officially joined the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership race, with two more candidates on track to declare later this week before the 12 September filing date. Two LDP candidates spoke at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan Monday, and candidates spent the weekend and start of the week making campaign stops across the entire length of the country, from outlying Yonaguni to rural Hokkaido. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Democratic Party’s candidates (CDP) battled over who is best prepared to defeat the LDP in a general election in televised and webcast debates, as well as in joint speaking appearances in Nagoya and Fukoka. Elsewhere in Japanese politics, Ishin no Kai came out against Hyōgo Governor Saitō Motohiko, suggesting that his time in office is nearing its end. In economic policy, the government issued revised Q2 GDP figures. In foreign policy, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s last foreign trip will include a Quad summit in Delaware, though there is talk that Kishida could still have a foreign policy role to play after leaving office. Finally, Ishiba gave a frank interview, a visit to the JS Izumo, and the politics of the Nippon Steel case.

LDP leadership election

Economic Security Minister Takaichi Sanae speaks at a press conference announcing her candidacy for the LDP leadership on 9 September. Screenshot by author.

On Monday, 9 September, Takaichi Sanae formally announced that she will seek the LDP’s leadership, making her the seventh candidate to enter the race and the first woman. In her press conference, the right-wing Takaichi emphasized familiar themes: protecting the lives and property of the Japanese people and Japan’s sovereignty, while developing and mobilizing national power in all domains. She pledged to move forward with constitutional revision, like other candidates; expressed her resistance to introducing legislation to permit separate surnames for spouses; and proposed the creation of a cabinet intelligence bureau to oversee the government’s intelligence activities. She also did not rule out the possibility of worshipping at Yasukuni Shrine as prime minister. In a new NHK poll, she ranks third among the public as a whole with 9% support and among LDP supporters with 13%. As she launched her campaign, she also urged her supporters to refrain from abuse and slander online.