Takaichi Likely to Run in LDP Presidential Election; Motegi Officially Declares Candidacy

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:50 JST, September 10, 2025

Sanae Takaichi, former minister in charge of economic security, is expected to announce her candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election to choose the successor to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, according to sources connected to her camp.

The sources said Takaichi may hold a press conference as soon as next week.

Former LDP Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi, 69, also officially declared his candidacy at a press conference Wednesday. “I will seek a new framework for a coalition government with a party that shares the same basic policy,” Motegi said. He also said he will strive to realize wage increases that outpace inflation.

It was officially decided Wednesday that campaigning for the presidential election will begin on Sept. 22, and voting will take place on Oct. 4.

Takaichi, 64, lost to Ishiba in a runoff in the previous presidential election last September. She exchanged views with lawmakers supporting her at the Diet Building on Tuesday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, who has expressed his intent to run in the election, had a meeting on Tuesday in Tokyo with about 20 Diet members and others who supported him in the previous race to discuss future prospects. Takayuki Kobayashi, another former minister in charge of economic security, has also been considering running. He had a meeting with core members of his camp to discuss the situation.

On Tuesday, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, who placed third in last year’s presidential election, was asked by reporters about his intention to run in the election. He responded: “Whether or not I run in the race will be decided in consideration of, above all else, fulfilling my official duties as a Cabinet minister.”