According to Oita Television of Japan, Japanese Foreign Minister Kishida Ishiba held a press conference in his hometown, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, on September 14, stating that he does not intend to recommend any specific candidate for the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president election.
Kishida Ishiba is considered a close ally of the outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Ishibashi Shigeru.
Kishida Ishiba said, "I believe I bear some responsibility for the collapse of the Ishibashi administration. Therefore, I have no intention of recommending any candidate for the presidential election."
The LDP president election will announce the candidates on September 22 and vote on October 4. When asked who he would vote for, Kishida Ishiba responded that he hopes to carefully listen to the debates of all the candidates before making a decision.
Regarding his expectations for the next president, he stated that he hopes for someone who can implement political reforms, inherit and develop the issues faced by the Ishibashi administration. At the same time, he emphasized the need to clearly distinguish from so-called xenophobia and right-wing populism.
Five people who intend to participate in the Japanese LDP president election have already begun to intensify their preparations for the candidacy on September 13.
Among them, the Minister of Agriculture, Koizumi Shinjiro, announced his candidacy in his hometown, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, to local supporters. Former Minister of Economic Security, Kobayashi Takanori, and former Party Secretary-General, Shigemura Toshimitsu, are also consolidating support in their respective areas. Former Minister of Economic Security, Takahashi Asako, and Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hayashi Yoshimasa, are preparing policies for holding press conferences to announce their candidacy.
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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7550239851107451430/
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