Former Def Min Ishiba Tops LDP Poll As Kobayashi Announces Candidacy

Former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba tops the latest opinion poll showing public preferences for the next president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and therefore Japanese prime minister. The Kyodo News poll carried out 17-19 Aug shows the veteran politician ahead with 25.3% support among all voters. In second place is former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former PM Junichiro Koizumi, with 19.6% support and Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi came third with 10.1% support.

• However, when the poll is filtered for just LDP supporters, Koizumi led with 24.2% to Ishiba's 21.0%. The election of a new LDP leader is expected to take place 27 September after incumbent Fumio Kishida announced last week that he would stand down at the upcoming LDP leadership conference.
• So far the only candidate officially nominated, having gained the support of 20 LDP lawmakers, is former Minister of State for Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi. Ishiba isset to announcehis candidacy early this week. This would mark the fifth time that he has run for the LDP presidency.
• There remains some animosity towards Ishiba from long-standing LDP lawmakers and party members after he left the party in 1993 after the LDP lost its majority in that year's general election, joining the Japan Renewal Party until rejoining the LDP in 1997.
• There are around 10 LDP lawmakers who are believed to be considering bids for the party presidency, and with the frontrunner only on 25% support, this makes it an unpredictable contest that could see an unexpected winner emerge.