Arab News Japan
TOKYO: The ruling Liberal-Democratic Party of Japan will hold a leadership election on October 4. This election is significant as the winner will almost certainly become the new prime minister of Japan, leading the country through a crucial period of economic and social change. Five candidates are running for the top post, each with their own vision for the future of Japan.
Ultra-conservative TAKAICHI Sanae is currently one of the frontrunners in the political race, along with KOIZUMI Shinjiro, the 44-year-old son of one of Japan’s most popular prime ministers.
LDP heavyweights HAYASHI Yoshimasa and MOTEGI Toshimitsu, both former Foreign Ministers, are positioned more toward the center of the political spectrum.
Meanwhile, Harvard-educated KOBAYASHI Takayuki stands out as a wildcard candidate.
At a joint press conference, the candidates, each with their unique stance, ranging from moderate to somewhat right-wing in a party that is traditionally conservative, presented their plans for changing Japan. The topics they covered included the falling population, immigration, the economy, and the right of women to keep their own names after marriage, providing a comprehensive view of the issues at hand.
One of the big issues in Japan now is surnames, with women campaigning to use their own surnames after marriage. Surprisingly, the lone female candidate in the race, TAKAICHI Sanae, opposed this move, but even the more progressive candidates suggested that it should be decided “on the results of public opinion polls conducted by the Cabinet Office.”
Women’s empowerment has long been a buzzword in Japanese politics, but very little has been done to allow women to make progress in the male-dominated society.
One candidate said: “I wish to enhance opportunities for women, aiming to lower the average age of the cabinet from approximately 65 years by 10 years. I want to appoint at least 30 percent of female members.”
The ruling party has often been accused of being out of touch with the public, as one candidate declared: “We are too far removed from the voices of the public, which is unacceptable. The LDP must maintain its status as a people’s party, and I firmly believe that the premise of our founding declaration – “politics belong to the people” – should remain our guiding principle.”
As far as international politics and security are concerned, the candidates all expressed unwavering support for the US-Japan alliance, a cornerstone of Japan’s diplomatic security. Their shared belief in the importance of this alliance should reassure the public about Japan’s security.
“The US-Japan alliance is the foundation of Japan’s diplomatic security,” one said. “Having observed [former] Prime Minister ABE closely, I believe it’s crucial to establish a trusting relationship with President Trump. As for the Trump tariffs, the reciprocal tariff reductions provide complex, expansive supply chain implications that we need to monitor closely. Our responses must include everything from subsidies to public financing measures. When it comes to President Trump, I wish to convey that strengthening Japan-US collaborations with our allies is paramount as soon as possible.”
While another candidate suggested that “the Japan-US alliance is essential,” he also said, “Cooperation among Japan, the US, South Korea and the Philippines, among others, is important as well. Additionally, joint training with Australia and cooperation in joint defense projects with Italy and the UK are necessary to maintain the trust we have built over a long time. Such collaboration is something I hope to prioritize. But Japan must also reinforce its self-defense capabilities to protect its own nation. Solid defense capabilities must be established to ensure the safety of citizens in the event of unexpected circumstances.”
One candidate felt “anxious” about the threat from China, Russia and North Korea, saying, “Faced with what is considered the most severe security environment surrounding Japan since the war, I believe the first pillar of what we must do as Japan is to reinforce our self-defense capabilities firmly. We must properly advance toward a goal of 2 percent of GDP for defense spending while recognizing that economic strength is also a crucial aspect of security.”
One pressing issue facing Japan is the falling birth rate, a problem the LDP has tried and failed to address over the last two decades. All candidates agreed on the urgency of this issue, emphasizing that economic growth and improved childcare services, which are not always available in major cities, are crucial to providing an environment conducive to growing families.
AloJapan.com