Unpopular Prime Minister Fumio Kushida has withdrawn from the LDP party’s presidential election in September, setting off a race to succeed him.
In office since October 2021, Fumio Kushida, 67, announced on Wednesday, August 14, that he would no longer be a candidate for the presidency of the ruling party, the LDP. He will in fact leave his post as head of government.
A decision that surprised the country’s political class, as the election of the party president is held in September, after a three-year term by Fumio Kushida.
Whoever wins the party vote will succeed him as prime minister, as the LDP controls both houses of parliament.
“We must clearly show that the PLD is changing”Fumio Kishida said at a press conference on Wednesday. “To show a PLD in full mutation, the first most obvious step is for me to withdraw”.
Fumio Kishida, who has been singled out for criticism over his party’s corruption scandal, has seen his approval ratings plummet to below 20 percent. The case involves undeclared political funds raised through ticket sales to party events. More than 80 LDP lawmakers, most of them from a major party faction previously led by assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, are implicated in the case.
The assassination sparked a scandal over the LDP’s deep, decades-old ties to the Unification Church, for which Kishida has also come under criticism.
Restoring trust
Fumio Kishida said regaining public trust is essential to implementing policies to address difficult situations inside and outside Japan. He called on his party members who aspire to become lawmakers to not hesitate to run for the party leadership and engage in active political debate during the campaign.
“Once the new leader is chosen, I hope to see everyone come together and form a dream team to deliver a policy that can win the public’s trust.”he said.
Fumio Kishida said he had been considering stepping down for some time but was waiting until he could get his major policies on track, including an energy policy that calls for a return to nuclear power, a drastic military buildup to confront regional security threats, improved ties with South Korea and political reforms.
Speculation about potential candidates has focused on several senior LDP lawmakers, including party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, Digital Affairs Minister Taro Kono, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
The winner will replace Fumio Kishida as party chairman and be chosen as the new prime minister in a parliamentary vote shortly thereafter. LDP leaders are expected to decide next week on the exact date of the election.
Since the corruption scandal broke, Fumio Kishida has removed a number of ministers and others from executive positions in the party, dissolved party factions that were criticized and strengthened the law on controlling public funds. A total of 10 people – lawmakers and their aides – were indicted in January.
Despite Fumio Kishida’s efforts, support for his government has dwindled.
Losses in local elections earlier this year have eroded its influence, and LDP lawmakers have expressed the need for a new face ahead of the next general election. Heavy losses in Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly by-elections in July have also added to the pressure.