Battle to replace Kishida as PM kicks off

What a "great" selection!

If I were able to vote, maybe, just maybe Koizumi.

Takaichi and Kobayashi - definitely thanks, but NO thanks!

As for Kishida .... he's number ?? prime minister to resign over a scandal?

Let's start with Shidehara (more or less the first one after WWII).

56 in total, if I'm not wrong.

Out of those roughly two-third (22) vanished within 1 year (+ a couple of months).

Makes me think!

Top Left to right: Chinese leaning (nope), ex-mckinsey (nope), right-winger (nope)

Bottom Left to right: Has businesses with China (nope), "environment" ministry that push coal (nope), nikai's slave (nope)

It will likely be Ishiba or Kono. Ishiba is popular among seniors in their 60s and above. Kono is part of the Aso faction.

Digital Minister Taro Kono and Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi have expressed eagerness to become Japan's next leader.

He has the insurmountable handicap of not being LDP, but Japan needs Taro Yamamoto.

Just anecdotally I have seen many Japanese voters have a good opinion of him.

Kono, right, just because he can speak English! Koizumi only because of his bloodline but probably the "best" out of the lot, Ishiba.

Makes me think!

Actually I dont think so! Plausible reasons for all of them.

Anyone still believe there will be a major change in Japan?

Eliminate Koizumi automatically because he’s too young for Japanese men’s ego. Kobayashi as well. The same with Takaichi as old Japanese men would not like a female prime minister and Tokyo Governor. The remaining three:

Kono, right, just because he can speak English! 

Motegi graduated Tokyo University and went on to the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Kono and Ishiba are Keio Gijuku educated, a private university and so a notch down in the eyes of the elites.

If elected LDP leader, Takaichi Sanae will be Japan's first female PM. That would help mend the LDP’s tattered image and boost the party’s approval ratings. At least for a while.

What an inspiring choice

FRESH BLOOD is what Japan needs, therefore NONE OF THE ABOVE qualifies.

Koizumi only because of his bloodline but probably the "best" out of the lot, Ishiba.

Koizumi’s father along with Takenaka Heizo are responsible for changing the rules to allow companies to reclassify full-time workers as limited or quasi-full time workers disqualifying them from benefits to save company costs. They are corporate.

Koizumi Shinjiro is another Abesque hereditary politician:”Otosan moto-shushou shitteru? Sugoi desu ne.” The Japanese don’t mind hearing the annoying sugoi desu ne purely based on bloodline.

Next PM next scandal. Same old same old.....

Kono, right, just because he can speak English!

Kono Taro/Taro Kono went to Georgetown University, which is widely recognized as the spookiest university in the entire US. He graduated from the School of Foreign Service, a notorious recruiting ground for the CIA.

You can certainly tell a lot from a photo [that photo of the six potential candidates for the next prime minister].

Well since we are in japan it must be the senpai... so thats the oldest one there. LOL The youngster havent got a chance.

They are full of far-rights, politicians disrespecting the lives of people, liers, person hating human rights and social welfare, accomplices of corruption.

My money is on Kono for the win.

It's quite politically sensible for the LDP to continue to do this, esp. after a scandal and exp. before an election.

Helps the people in thinking, -

Well I don't really know much about the opposition party as they are hardly in the news and this guy is new and seems to be the most popular and a winner now, so, let's just give him a chance

Why do the Japanese people always vote for the same corrupt and incompetent LDP Party?? Seems like there is a monopoly on Japan's government since the economic bubble exploded in the 90's, a monopoly that only dragged down Japan.

Japan really needs a fresh blood leader with modern mentality and views, definetly not something any of those "candidates" can offer.

people hate two things. the way things are and change.

Please, let it be someone who first thinks about the country, who works for his people and who is not a US puppet and does not give the dignity of the country to the West for a plate of lentils..

Peter NeilToday  09:50 am JST

people hate two things. the way things are and change.

Comment of the day!

Bad Haircut -- You are totally right. Well, Peter Neil is. We just admire the comment. A lot. (Sharp comment of your own to point it out.)

"Battle to replace Kishida as PM kicks off"

And let the best man/woman win!!!

Have ever notice western politician display these pins on their lapels. Symbolising their support are some empathic moment which they know.the littleness about. Like I bet if I ask one of these above what that pin was for and who started the moment they wouldn't know either. But the best gimmick I have seen from any mob is the wearing of white glove to symbolise you are corrupted free. LOL

every candidates avoid to be hated from believers of Abe regime. and, no matter who become PM, LDP regime only continues to worsen Japan.

Take notes America. This how you have a party election. You have more than just one candidate on the ballot.

 it will likely be Ishiba or Kono. Ishiba is popular among seniors in their 60s and above. Kono is part of the Aso faction.

Nope. Ishiba is hated by the LDP and so is Kono. Kone is part of the Aso, but so is Motegi. Kono is the son of traitor. No one trusts him. It is Motegi. The real power in the party is Aso and Mori. Both will back him.

Just as bad as the 'selection' in America.

Nope, candidates who think that flaunting a trip to Yasukuni Shrine just before the process of selecting the next LDP Prime Minister aren't suitable as they are looking backwards instead of to the realities now and in the future.

I hope Kono gets it - amid an abundance of mediocre, crony-led candidates he has the smarts and brings something different. Without politicians like him in influential positions, Japanese society will keep relying on all the excessive bureaucracy that comes from resisting digitalization and streamlining of information and public services.

The complaints about My Number miss the point that the inefficiencies are rooted in resisting making it compulsory and implemented in a timely fashion when it first was introduced. That's the problem. There is no modern, efficient first world economy that doesn't have this kind of system.

The people here doing business who gripe in newspaper articles about giving My Number or other details as part of their process or allow people they employ are simply evading tax like in the entertainment industry and not just the adult one. The music industry here is famous for tax evasion, paying performers in cash and not keeping records, allowing performers to resist giving their My Number etc. The current Japanese system facilitates tax evasion which honest people pay for and Kono knows this. One good reason he should be Prime Minister among others.

Such a dynamic selection.

First of all, unfortunately, Ishiba cannot become president. If he could, he would already be president. He is not popular either.

Koizumi is popular, but he is not yet ready to become president, due to gaffes while he was Minister of the Environment.

Taro Kono, whose father is Yohei Kono, also made notable blunders in the Ministry of Digital Affairs, and due to his father's affairs, he will not be able to become president anytime soon.

The favorites are Motegi or Takaichi. Kobayashi is the longshot.

A lawmaker who is weak on China and South Korea and cannot even visit Yasukuni Shrine should not become president. The people do not want such a weak prime minister.

Koizumi isn't Prime Ministerial material. Whether you like his father or not, Prime Minister Koizumi did some reforms that went some way to re-structure the Japanese economy in terms of curbing monopolies and making possible more competitiveness.

Not all the decisions were good but the best ones saw Japanese markets opened up more and led to more consumer choices. One of the reasons why prices in Japan for many necessities actually became cheaper for a couple of decades.

As for having a PM not afraid to go to Yasukuni - there's a time and a place for that. Going before the PM election is just a publicity stunt. Ishiba and Kono seem the best candidates.

Why do the Japanese people always vote for the same corrupt and incompetent LDP Party?? Seems like there is a monopoly on Japan's government since the economic bubble exploded in the 90's, a monopoly that only dragged down Japan.

Japan really needs a fresh blood leader with modern mentality and views, definetly not something any of those "candidates" can offer.

Unfortunately, the demands of being a Party of Power is different from just being oppositional, and none of the other parties have the institutional strength, knowledge or experience to run Japan, so every time in recent years when Japan tried some other party they didn't last very long.

The LPD is seen as stable which is one of the reasons for its lasting success. The old Democratic Party of Japan now operating under a different name had some talented politicians but the Renho move was a gamble that failed. She would have been a better leadership pick around now when there's more acceptance for women's participation in political life.

Say what you like about Abe but the man never came across as incompetent or dumb. He was a cool hand at playing his cards, had the family background that made him familiar with political realities. The move towards the left currently in western democracies won't work in Japan and it's not really working anyway in those countries.

The western left's pet project of jacking up legal immigration and rewarding illegal immigration when a country's own citizens can't afford to buy houses/apartments and there's a sharp jump in homelessness and medical fees rocketing for those who pay taxes while others over-use the system for free, is on display. Japan won't go there which is a big reason why the LPD stays in power. Japan is not willing to let all that happen.

A lawmaker who is weak on China and South Korea and cannot even visit Yasukuni Shrine should not become president. The people do not want such a weak prime minister.

Sigh. Meanwhile the rest of Japan's neighbors and allies grit their teeth in utter disgust every time a Japanese polly visits Yasukuni. From the point of view of us nations who bled fighting the IJA and IJN, any Japanese polly who goes to that shrine has debased themselves and is completely clueless about how Japan is seen by the nations Japan once brutalized. Shame, but some Japanese pollies have no shame.

Possible candidates to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are clockwise from top left: Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and DIgital Minister Taro Kono  Image: KYODO

—

An interesting combination/group of characters—incompetents, China lovers, a daddy’s boy and boring oyajis with the same old views on pretty much everything.

I’m gonna go ahead and say that Toshimitsu Motegi is a good choice—by comparison, he’s pretty “normal”/competent AND he knows Trump (the timing is perfect).

My number two would be Sanae Takaichi—… no reason to be afraid; Japan needs 1) a leader with strong views / positions on foreign policy and 2) a woman PM. She ain’t perfect but

she would anger all the oyajis in Japan who think women are less capable than men—the start of a much needed change in the minds of millions of Japanese—that’s more than enough for me.

Shigeru Ishiba: Son of Jiro Ishiba, former governor of Tottori.

Shinjiro Koizumi: Son of Junichiro Koizumi, former prime minister of Japan.

Taro Kono: Son of Yohei Kono, former President of the LDP and Speaker of the House of Representatives; grandson of Ichiro Kono, former Deputy Prime Minister; grand-nephew to Kenzo Kono, former President of the House of Councilors.

I present to you the three most likely choices.

Japan sure loves their political families.

I wonder which one will be the next shogun, ahem, prime minister.

I'd love it if Japan could muster the cojones to elect a woman, even if she is on the hawkish side. Imagine if a country famous for its primitive views of women elected a female leader before the US did...

The comment section doesn't seem to be fully aware of just how hawkish Takaichi is. Tbf it doesn't bother me, but I could imagine the NYT and Guardian absolutely going ape shhh if she were nominated.

The one who looks to have smoked 3 packs of cigarettes for the last 10 years will win. That seems to be the deciding factor.

known for her hawkish views on security matters

has a "mission" with her fellow lawmakers to pass on a strengthened and richer Japan to the next generation

OK, who can say no to this? Crystal clear, from the given list above it only can be Ms Takaichi.

Slim pickings. They all look like clones of each other. Is this really the best they can do?

English language page, pictures with Japanese names only. Hmm.....

Kono had repeated falsehood or evasion at BBC HARD TALK.

Meanwhile the rest of Japan's neighbors and allies grit their teeth in utter disgust every time a Japanese polly visits Yasukuni.

Why should that affect domestic politics? The neighbours you're referring to has ALL been diplomatically resolved, and any residual grievances are their internal politics (mostly exploitative at that).

Japan does not put people like Tomomi Inada (and her exploitative politics) up for the top job, on the other hand Kono won't be accepted by Nippon Kaigi (for obvious reason). IMHO, Japanese nationalism is a lot more progressive and altruistic than you portray it to be. Sigh...

It's a bit like Trump vs Biden except there are more of them. And yes, I do realise that Biden stepped down. What I mean to say is that there isn't a lot of choice. They are all tarred with the same brush.

Bertie, nobody else chooses to run for President, their are lots of people,beside Harris and Trump running for President

Present LDP has no politicians who value citizen.

For example, "digital minister" Kono doesn't feel even responsibility about defects of "My Number Insurance Card" killed patient, still tries to force clearly defective system to all citizen for profit of "My Number" related corporations. Also, he was critical to nuclear plants immediate after Fukushima disable but silences after became minister, recently he became to insist even necessity of nuclear plants.

Politics sector of Japanese major media joyfully features next PM candidates, but they are parts of LDP politics that ruined democracy and victimized even the lives of citizen.

The music industry here is famous for tax evasion, paying performers in cash and not keeping records, allowing performers to resist giving their My Number etc. The current Japanese system facilitates tax evasion which honest people pay for and Kono knows this. One good reason he should be Prime Minister among others.

Does it really bother you that musicians who probably don't get to work every day get paid cash in hand? Doesn't bother me in the slightest! In fact, more power to them!

Politics sector of Japanese major media joyfully features next PM candidates

...are you sure this is all they do? We must be reading different news sources. I see a lot of LDP bashing in Japanese media. Saying things like 'ultra rightwing extremist', 'revisionist', 'authoritarian' etc., when it's blindingly obvious the 1947 constitution, written by USA is no longer relevant and should be amended, or rewritten (even USA agreed with this). Elevating the Imperial role to me is another safety catch for parliamentary democracy, nothing wrong with that either. Defense spending is also much needed given the rise and threat of China, and Russia AND the fact USA's industrial military complex is stretched to its limits.

but they are parts of LDP politics that ruined democracy and victimized even the lives of citizen.

meh, this is the false narrative woven by the left biased media of Japan, nationalism isn't incompatible with democracy, in fact it's much needed at this point in time, because everyone knows without a sense of national pride, the mass population will be trampled upon by 'multi-national' corporations.

Another way of looking at this is to ask, has woke Europe free migration, no borders helped Europe or diminished it?

Why should that affect domestic politics? 

Do you have any idea how hated that shrine is outside of Japan? Any Japanese polly who goes there to worship is worshipping Class A War Criminals, the very same war criminals who are responsible for the most barbaric acts against the nations Japan attacked. A Japanese polly who goes there cannot be fully trusted by the rest of the world. They are seen as groveling to the worst in Japanese politics for the sake of gaining or maintaining power. Not one has ever had the courage to tell Yasukuni to remove those names. Not one. And until that happens that shrine represents the very worst barbarities of the Japanese. That is how it is seen outside of Japan and yes it very much does matter.

Japan seems to be really bad. I wonder why all of the negative commenters go to other sites. I know of quite a few that allows you to argue and bash all you want. So Japan politics is broken. Apparently, it's the same in the US. There are sites there where you can go to argue. I'd be happy to recommend some to you. This is Japan Today. Something suggests to me that it has to do with Japan, good or bad.

Sh1mon M4sadaToday  04:11 am JST

...are you sure this is all they do? We must be reading different news sources. I see a lot of LDP bashing in Japanese media. 

You would see a lot more if Japan ranked a bit more highly for press freedom.

Saying things like 'ultra rightwing extremist', 'revisionist', 'authoritarian' etc., 

They should add "incompetent," "corrupt," "self-serving," "cronyism" and "nepotism."

Looking for a replacement PM aye. The LDP motto is, 'its easier to fool someone than it is to convince them that they have been fooled '.

Do you have any idea how hated that shrine is outside of Japan?

Irrelevant, it's domestic politics. Hate all they like, still irrelevant. Unless you want to condone irrational and vindictive acts of diplomatic vandalism, eg during the Moon Jae-in term. Japan should never waver to that kind of sabotage.

Seriously, nationalism, or Kono (father and son) outright kow-tow to China, I know which I would prefer.

Note, progressive nationalism, NOT loony extremism as practiced by the likes of Tomomi Inada, the LDP would never give her a chance. If only Koizumi is 20 years older....

Interesting to see that a few posters think Kono is soft on China with one comment even saying Kono senior and junior 'kow-tow' to China. That statement about the Kono running for PM completely misses the fact he is a moderate on China. Like it or not, western type democracies including Japan can't afford economically or geopolitically to have a constantly combative attitude to a huge trading partner that key democracies helped become the powerhouse it is today after Nixon's visit back in the 70s.

China is in the position it is today because it was given entry into the international community and countries like mine started outsourcing vital industries to China. In turn China gave international businesses cheap manufacturing and provided a growing market for global goods. Politicians like Kono accept that reality though he would be wary of China's expansionism like just about every other Japanese politician except for the usual extreme left wing cheerleaders. Kono is also not an apologist for Japan's 20th century wrongs in China but he understands that China will never forget that regardless of whether it ever turns into a democracy or not.

Domestically Kono can offer the bold leadership to take Japan to the level it should be at technologically. Japanese companies influenced the world at one time but the society has been allowed to have an aversion to modern digitalization and streamlining of services which leads to productivity and cuts bloated budgets inflated by top heavy bureaucracy that still likes paperwork. Japan is also vulnerable to tax evasion at a number of levels including the cash in hand economy especially the entertainment industry.

And yep, I think that musicians and rappers including foreigners and all those people not paying tax on often double incomes because one is undeclared need to pay their dues. One person's free ride is always another's burden, those who pay always make up for those who don't. Kono will finally get the job done on making My Number what it should be in 2024 and the upgrading of paper health insurance cards to proper ones that link to the system and save time as well as money.

@Desert turtle

Only China and Korea have a problem with visiting Yasukuni Shrine.

Other countries, including the allied powers that fought against Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, and even politicians from colonized ASEAN countries, have visited the shrine many times, and it was never an issue until China made it an issue many years after the war.

It's a popular spot for tourists from all over the world.

Also, worshiping the dead is a Chinese and Korean way of thinking, not a Japanese way of thinking. It's the same as being against American soldiers being buried at Arlington Cemetery and even laying flowers there.

If you don't know how Japan feels about its war dead, you shouldn't criticize it. It's just interference in domestic affairs.

China is in the position it is today because it was given entry into the international community and countries like mine started outsourcing vital industries to China. In turn China gave international businesses cheap manufacturing and provided a growing market for global goods.

No, Kono father and son swallowed the CCP propaganda whole.

. And then the peasants built businesses and so moved to the city and the FDI came from Japan and Taiwan, and it went through Hong Kong, which was a British financial centre with the rule of law.

https://thehub.ca/podcasts/winning-the-peace-professor-stephen-kotkin-on-why-a-chinese-led-peace-deal-is-the-ideal-outcome-to-the-war-in-ukraine/

Be serious BlackS, how can an opaque regime ever advance. If you can't propagate mistakes and successes, how do you help your people learn and enhance?

Just look at the state of Chinese property, retail, debt, personal savings, ALL KAPUT. If Japan let them, they will export all their failings to Japan as well. Just look at Hong Kong. Closer to the western sphere, look at New Zealand, despite being pro-China (even more than Kono), its economy is kaput, and it can't afford to school kids in safe buildings.

Like it or not, western type democracies including Japan can't afford economically or geopolitically to have a constantly combative attitude to a huge trading partner that key democracies helped become the powerhouse it is today

If you slide that round rock to the side, emerge from the cave, you'll see that the western world's focus at the moment is how to cordone off China and its severe market distortion and destruction export. 'Combative' is like actravel book during covid lockdown, total fantasy.

You have not heard of USA, EU tariffs?

https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/08/chinas-manufacturers-are-going-broke

Lol at the assertion that Kona Senior and his son who's a viable candidate for Prime Minister are Communist China dupes who 'swallow' the CCP's propaganda. Just as well there are people in positions of power everywhere who understand that the world is complex and nuanced unlike someone here.

The western democracies elevated the poverty stricken People's Republic of China into the global community, outsourcing industries to it and favoring it in trade deals, allowing its citizens to live in western countries and take dual citizenships there. That's the reality. Whether it was the correct move is questionable but the fact is China exists a geopolitical and economic power and govts all over the world have to deal with this reality. I doubt a Kono Govt wants to have it both ways like the US Govt members, Senate members and Congress members who are now roundly condemning China but gained financially by cultivating PRC political and business networks.

As for New Zealand's economy being in trouble supposedly due to China - obviously you know nothing about NZ. Its small population of around 4million and continued brain drain to Australia has hurt it economically especially now that agriculture and manufacturing no longer are its source of prosperity in the global world order and haven't been for a while.

NZ's going to have to re-invent itself as some kind of hub in order to have a good economy again and international students won't cut it just like Australia gambled on international students boosting its economy. The housing disaster at the moment in Australia whereby rental housing availability has sunk is due in part to allowing big numbers of international students into that country, increasing the population and decreasing housing availability as well heeled students can afford to study there and rent. These problems are the direct result of bad Governments in both NZ and Australia.

As for New Zealand's economy being in trouble supposedly due to China - obviously you know nothing about NZ.

First, I own property in NZ, hundreds if Ha of land.

Second, NZ is a prime example of being non-combative and paying a high price. Its citizens leaving for distance shores is because they feel powerless, like living in an authoritarian country. You rub with China, you fly like China, and why Kono is so dangerous for Japan.

https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202407/02/content_WS66839320c6d0868f4e8e8c44.html

Currently receiving trade punishment from China, and he goes on a friendship mission?

Nah, you're obviously a latecomer to NZ, pretty sure you aint the Kiwis whose English/Scots/Welsh/Irish 18th and 19th century ancestors made what became the modern NZ and you're not one of the traditional Maori people from there.

If you were from those groups you'd know that NZ is too small in population now for the global realities, it was thriving economically when agriculture and manufacturing were its backbone and it was late 20th century and now 21st century governments in NZ who didn't have the vision to meet new realities. U

Unemployment was the reason many Kiwis left for Australia and the UK, it still is, and that was long before China was welcomed. Your ownership of 'many hectares of land in NZ' is probably as welcome to the locals as other foreigners buying up land that the locals can't afford to buy.