The announcement comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's surprising decision last week to resign next month, following polls indicating a sharp decline in approval ratings for his administration.
Campaigning for the next Liberal Democratic Party president will commence on September 12, with a vote scheduled two weeks later, according to a party official, following a decision by an internal committee on Tuesday.
Kishida, 67, who has been in office since October 2021, has witnessed a significant drop in his and his party's poll ratings due to rising prices and multiple scandals. However, he received praise internationally for his strong support of Ukraine after Russia's invasion and for bolstering Japanese defense policy under US encouragement to counter China.
The identity of Kishida's successor is yet to be determined, with a diverse group of candidates, ranging from seasoned party members to emerging young talents and three women, reportedly assessing their prospects and seeking to garner intraparty backing. These candidates include former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba, former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, who would become Japan's first female prime minister if elected.
