Japan PM Fumio Kishida on Wednesday announced his plans not to seek re-election as chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in September.
Kishida, 67, in office since October 2021, has seen his and his party's poll ratings slide sharply amid a series of scandals, and rising prices.
Incomes in Japan have reportedly failed to keep up with the rise in prices, which has increased pressure on households and the broader economy.
Kishida's likely successors include Shigeru Ishiba, a public favourite. He has held several prominent positions — defence minister, agriculture minister, and LDP secretary general — and is the only one to have officially declared his intention to run for PM post.
A popular and prominent figure in Japan’s political landscape, Taro Kono, as Japan’s digital minister, has been at the forefront of the country’s efforts to modernise its digital infrastructure.
The youngest candidate, Shinjiro Koizumi gained prominence when he was appointed environment minister in 2019. He earned global recognition for advocating renewable energy and criticising Japan’s use of fossil fuels.
The minister for economic security, Sanae Takaichi has served as the minister of internal affairs and communications too. If elected, she will be the party’s first female leader. According to a Reuters report, she is known to be a conservative, and also contested against Kishida in the last LDP leadership election in 2021.
The secretary of the LDP, Toshimitsu Motegi has served as economy minister from 2012 to 2014. His relatively low public profile is seen as a disadvantage to his candidacy.
Kishida expressed hope that the new leader would build a better team to gain public trust and address the challenges faced by the citizens of Japan.