On the trail | Today in Japanese politics

LDP and CDP candidates continue their debates, as candidates seek to sharpen their differences

Thank you for reading Observing Japan. In light of the volume of activity in Japanese politics, “This Week in Japanese Politics” will become “Today in Japanese Politics” through the LDP election on 27 September. I cannot guarantee it will truly be published daily, but my goal will be to update this feature several times a week for paid subscribers.

If you are looking for timely, forward-looking analysis of the stories in Japans’s politics and policymaking that move markets, I have launched a new service through my business, Japan Foresight LLC. For more information about Japan Foresight’s services or for information on how to sign up for a trial or schedule a briefing, please visit our website or reach out to me.

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The rundown

LDP candidates on the campaign trail. Photos from social media.

The Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) candidates hold a forum in Fukushima and a debate in Kanazawa, while also appearing on Sunday morning shows and an internet streaming platform. The Constitutional Democratic Party’s candidates, meanwhile take their campaign north to Tohoku and Hokkaido. Elsewhere in politics, a veteran LDP lawmaker announces his retirement. Meanwhile, in economic and foreign policy, the LDP candidates have stepped up their debate of controversial issues, including, in the case of the latter, Japan’s role in a Taiwan crisis and how to strengthen the US nuclear umbrella. Finally, Koizumi may be leading among LDP lawmakers.

The LDP leadership election

The LDP candidates are on stage at the candidates’ debate in Kanazawa on 16 September. Source: @moteging on Twitter

The LDP campaign continued in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture on Monday, 16 September when the nine candidates participated in a debate hosted by the party’s youth and women’s divisions. The debate focused heavily on how to revitalize depopulating regions that have seen their young, educated workers leave for Tokyo and other major cities. Ishiba Shigeru – and other candidates – lamented that the LDP’s rank-and-file voters have limited influence over the outcome of a runoff vote.