Shinjiro Koizumi to run

Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43, is set to announce his candidacy for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) leadership election on August 30, marking his first attempt to lead the party. He aims to succeed current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who will step down as LDP chief in September after three years in office. Koizumi's entry into the race is expected to introduce a youthful dynamic, supported by former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who believes Koizumi could effectively represent the party in upcoming elections. However, concerns about Koizumi's limited experience in significant leadership roles and potential backlash from his previous remarks as environment minister persist among party members. The LDP's waning popularity, partly due to a political funding scandal, raises the stakes for the leadership contest. Other candidates, including Taro Kono and Shigeru Ishiba, are also preparing for the election, scheduled for September 27.