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Ishiba's decision to retain Hayashi, a veteran politician with previous roles as foreign and defense minister, reflects a desire for continuity in leadership during a critical political transition.
Shigeru Ishiba, a seasoned politician known for his experience in various government roles, is viewed as a pragmatic leader. His appointment comes at a time when Japan and China have faced numerous challenges, including territorial disputes and trade tensions.
Ishiba has a long history of being a vocal critic of the LDP, earning him a reputation as a turncoat among lawmakers. His most notable act of defiance came in 1993 when he supported a no-confidence vote against then-Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa. This move, along with his departure from the LDP to join a reformist faction led by Ichiro Ozawa, has left a lasting stain on his reputation within the party. Political science professor Yu Uchiyama notes that this history fuels perceptions of Ishiba as a "traitor" among senior politicians.
Ishiba’s path to leadership was cemented in the initial round, where he garnered 154 votes from a pool of nine candidates, advancing to the decisive runoff after Takaichi's 181 votes placed her in contention. Renowned for his expertise in defense and commitment to regional revitalization, Ishiba had consistently ranked high in pre-election polls regarding who would best lead the LDP.
The candidates' strategies became evident during the session of LDP election, particularly in how they interacted with former Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Both Ishiba and Koizumi, who have been prominent in opinion polls, were each nominated three times by their peers, signaling their strong positions in the race.
The candidates were united in their commitment to addressing LDP’s transparency and financial management issues. Minister of Economic Security Takaichi emphasized that strict measures would be enforced to prevent future infractions, insisting that penalties for misconduct would not be overturned. Kobayashi Takayuki proposed creating a 'Party Modernization Executive Headquarters' to establish and enforce new rules aimed at restoring trust through increased transparency.
The announcement was made in the LDP headquarters' 8th-floor hall, where the candidates delivered their speeches to a gathering of lawmakers and party members. Due to the high number of contenders, each candidate was allotted just 10 minutes to present their platform, a notable reduction from the 20 minutes typically given when fewer candidates are involved.
Ishiba's remarks were aimed at reassuring both domestic and international stakeholders that the LDP, under his purview, remains committed to supporting financial initiatives designed to encourage personal investment. The New NISA, which offers tax-free benefits for small-scale investments, has been a cornerstone of Japan’s strategy to stimulate personal savings and investment. Ishiba's statement signals a firm stance against any proposed modifications that could disrupt this framework.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo on Sunday, Ishiba, 67, confirmed that he is actively seeking endorsements from at least 20 LDP lawmakers, a prerequisite for running in the upcoming election. Ishiba, who has previously vied for the presidency on four occasions, is preparing to make a formal announcement in his hometown of Tottori once he finalizes the support required.