Koizumi announces bid for LDP leadership; promises snap election

A new economic package to aid small firms and low-income households hit by rising living costs

The mainly elderly LDP supporters who will benefit from all this free money won't have to worry about repaying it back. That burden will fall on the dwindling number of already overburdened taxpayers like me.

His dad probably advised him to hold a snap election before anyone realizes he is just as useless as the last PM. Not a single original idea here.

The scary thing is that he will probably win.

If he gets in we all screwed..

Mr. environmental issues need to be sexy. What a joke he was as environmental minister. Won't be any different as PM.

Instead of generalisms, how about specifics?

He has none.

Where are his plans to raise the minimum wage, the massive increasing public debt, world peace, the greying population, lack of opportunities for the young, structural reform and tackling the never ending self serving LDP rife with scandalous behaviors.

So, Koizumi really cares about the environment, does he?

I guarantee the that he will be on international trips flying around the world introducing himself at the first opportunity.

Being ‘cool and sexy’ for a nightclub host is fine, for a PM not so much….

an era where inflation and higher interest rates co-exist

Economics isn’t his strong suit, but at least he isn’t coming out declaring that he wants to raise taxes on investment income (and nail wealthy people if the try to leave the country) like Shigeru Ishiba is reported to have done.

There appears to be no growth minded Japanese politicians, but then I suppose that reflects much of the populace who will vote for these hapless candidates.

Shinjiro does want to let women choose to keep their maiden names so I suppose he ha that much going for him.

Nepotism, as usual. The guy has done nothing apart from being a PM son.

Watched him a couple of times on the TV and he seemed to be so detached from real life, with no clue about real people's problems.

Where are his plans to raise the minimum wage, the massive increasing public debt, world peace, the greying population, lack of opportunities for the young, structural reform and tackling the never ending self serving LDP rife with scandalous behaviors.

Well said.

"Watched him a couple of times on the TV and he seemed to be so detached from real life, with no clue about real people's problems."

Absolutely spot-on comment; Koizumi, Shinjiro is all show and no substantial content...just a showman. Which makes it all the more possible he might win!

Who needs experience working with Trump?

You are either a troll or very naive. Trump's mentor/role model was Roy Cohn -- he was a really nice person:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-L1FKjpxOs

Coal salesman, brother of "talento", son of ex-prime minister, obviously he won't be the one calling shots. A big NOPE, but of course Japanese love this type.

Keeping the long held tradition of hereditary nepotism alive in Japan.

A 43 year old good looking PM with youthful ambitions and the political pedigree to back it up. The claims of nepotism are real, but in Japan there is a long tradition of the son carrying the father’s legacy. Everyone remembers his dad doing Elvis personations and bringing some good haircuts to the game.

Personally if it is done well, I am not too worried about it. He could definitely pull in the younger generation which at this stage is well needed. Is he a good speech maker? Can he inspire the next? If so, bring it on.

I don't care who wins personally, I will soon be shuffling off this mortal coil. But I do worry about my children. I am encouraging them to get the hell out of here while they are still young. This guy is hopeless.

No. Not now, at least.

Who needs experience working with Trump?

It’s too early for him, but his time will clearly come. Japan needs an experienced hand to work with trump..