Japan’s Leadership Race: A Diverse Field of Contenders

• Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is stepping down, with a diverse group of contenders vying for his position.
• Leading candidate Taro Kono is known for his liberal-leaning views and support for same-sex marriage, increased immigration, and women’s rights.
• Other contenders include Shigeru Ishiba, Yoko Kamikawa, Sanae Takaichi, Shinjiro Koizumi, and Toshimitsu Motegi, each with unique perspectives and experiences.
• The upcoming Liberal Democratic Party vote will determine the next Prime Minister and set the course for Japan’s future policies and international relations.

As Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prepares to step down next month, a diverse group of contenders are vying for his position. Among them are a surfer, a train enthusiast, and a ‘Trump whisperer’, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. The successor will be chosen in a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) vote on September 27.

Taro Kono, Japan’s minister for digital transformation, is a leading candidate. Known for his liberal-leaning views, Kono is an experienced reformist who has held multiple ministerial positions, including defense and foreign affairs. Despite losing to Kishida in the last leadership race in 2021, Kono remains a strong contender. His liberal views are reflected in his support for same-sex marriage, increased immigration, and the right of married women to retain their names.

Kono, who has 2.5 million followers on X and 79,000 on his English-language account, has also shown his personal commitment to public service by donating a kidney to his politician father, a former LDP president. I have experienced so many cabinet positions, Kono told a recent news conference. I am hoping that one day I can make the most of this experience.

The Other Contenders

Another candidate, Shigeru Ishiba, is a former defense and agriculture minister. Despite his popularity with voters, Ishiba has struggled to gain support among LDP lawmakers, resulting in four failed attempts to become party leader. The 67-year-old has questioned Japan’s reliance on monetary easing and has called for efforts to strengthen the rural economy. He likes making military models — including one of a Soviet aircraft carrier for the visit of a Russian defense minister — as well 1970s pop idols and trains.

Yoko Kamikawa, the current foreign minister, is one of three women reportedly considering a bid to become Japan’s first woman premier. Kamikawa, a Harvard-educated former consultant, has won praise for her diplomatic efforts, including a visit to Kyiv. As a rare woman in Japanese business and politics, Kamikawa has pushed for greater female representation. I am certain that if we advance ‘Women, Peace and Security’ as a key diplomatic policy for Japan, the country will be able to contribute to a peaceful international community more than ever, she said in an interview in March.

Sanae Takaichi, a vocal nationalist, is popular with the conservative wing of the LDP. Takaichi, 63, is a regular visitor to the Yasukuni shrine to Japan’s war dead, a move that would likely upset China and South Korea. With U.S. encouragement, Kishida has moved to patch up relations with Seoul while also ramping up defense spending to jointly counter China’s growing assertiveness.

The Younger Generation

Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of a popular former premier, is another contender. The 43-year-old environment minister is known for his support of renewable energy and his modern approach to fatherhood. However, his youth and perceived lack of experience may not sit well with LDP elders.

Toshimitsu Motegi, dubbed the Trump whisperer for his handling of the former U.S. president in U.S.-Japan trade talks, is also in the running. The Harvard-educated former McKinsey consultant has held important economic ministerial posts and is respected for his policy knowledge. Motegi, 68, is respected for his policy knowledge but is reportedly feared for having a short fuse. Trump reportedly told Abe that he thought Motegi was too tough.

These candidates bring a diverse range of experiences and perspectives to the table. As Japan prepares for this leadership transition, the world watches with interest to see who will lead the country into its next chapter. The upcoming LDP vote will not only determine the next Prime Minister but also set the course for Japan’s future policies and international relations.