Ruling LDP leadership race heats up

AWANI

With Japanese PM Ishiba stepping down, the ruling LDP braces for a heated leadership contest, with veteran lawmakers and familiar faces throwing their hats in. Who will lead the party next?

Transcript

00:00With Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stepping down,

00:03the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is gearing up for a heated leadership contest.

00:09Former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Monday that he will run,

00:15while Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has also signaled his candidacy,

00:20according to party resources cited by Kyoto News.

00:24Both Motegi and Hayashi ran in last year's leadership contest.

00:30Motegi, a veteran politician, also served as LDP Policy Chief.

00:35Other potential candidates include former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takeichi

00:39and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

00:43Takeichi has been vocal in opposing the Bank of Japan's interest rate hikes

00:47and calling for increased spending to boost the fragile economy.

00:50If chosen, she would become Japan's first female Prime Minister.

00:55Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi,

00:59is presenting himself once again as a reformer.

01:02At just 43, he will be the youngest Japanese leader in modern history if chosen.

01:08Ishiba announced his resignation on Sunday,

01:10taking responsibility for the party's recent election defeat.

01:14The date and format of the leadership contest have yet to be decided.

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