Opinion Polls Show Kono Remains Favourite To Become LDP Leader

Taro Kono continues to lead in public opinion polls about who should succeed PM Suga, according to the latest surveys commissioned by the Nikkei/TV Tokyo and Asahi Shimbun.

• The Nikkei/TV Tokyo poll conducted on September 9-11 found that 27% of respondents picked Kono as the "right person" to become the next LDP leader and Prime Minister. He outperformed former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishida (17%) and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (14%), while former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi ranked fifth with 7%.
• In the Asahi poll conducted on September 11-12, Kono was chosen by 33% of respondents. Ishiba was the runner-up with 16%, Kishida ranked third with 14%, while Takaichi came fourth with 8%.
• Kono, Kishida and Takaichi are the only LDP members who have publicly voiced their intention to join the race so far. Earlier press reports suggested that Ishida will likely decide not to run, while Jiji cited sources noting that he will likely back another candidate.
• Kono was the frontrunner in two other surveys commissioned by Kyodo and Yomiuri a week earlier. His strong performance in opinion polls may be a boon for his bid to become next LDP leader, as the ruling party needs to regain public confidence after a plunge in the approval ratings of PM Suga.
• Campaigning for the LDP election is due to start this Friday, with the vote count slated for September 29.