Abe Declares Bid for Another Term as Ruling Party Chief

August 26, 2018

Tarumizu, Kagoshima Pref.- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday announced plans to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election next month for a third consecutive three-year term as LDP chief.

Speaking to reporters in Tarumizu, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, Abe, 63, touted the achievements he made in economic and foreign policies during his tenure of over five years.

"I'm determined to remain at the helm of Japan for three more years as LDP president and prime minister," Abe said.

Referring to next year's abdication of Emperor Akihito and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, he said the country will experience a major turning point in its history.

"I'll lead new nation-building efforts going into a new era beyond Heisei," he said, referring to the name of the current era set to end with the Emperor's abdication scheduled for April 30 next year.

Abe is expected to compete one-on-one with former LDP Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba, 61, who has already declared his bid to challenge the prime minister in the Sept. 20 party election.

Internal affairs minister Seiko Noda, 57, is expected to give up running in the race as she is struggling to secure enough nominations from party lawmakers, an aide said.

Key campaign issues are likely to include whether Abe should remain as prime minister and how to proceed with constitutional amendments.

At a meeting in the city of Kagoshima, Abe said he will redouble efforts to amend the constitution.

Ishiba, speaking to reporters in Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, said as many chances for debates as possible should be created for the election.

Candidates will vie for a total of 810 votes--405 votes from LDP lawmakers and as many votes to be counted based on ballots cast by other party members and supporters.

Abe has already secured support from five major intraparty factions. The focus will be the results of voting by non-lawmaker party members and supporters.

The LDP's leader is virtually assured of being prime minister as the ruling coalition led by the party holds a majority in both chambers of parliament.

September's election marks the first contest for the LDP leadership in six years. In 2015, Abe was reelected uncontested as no one else ran.

A declaration of a bid for the LDP presidency outside Tokyo is rare. Abe's move apparently reflected Ishiba's emphasis on regional issues, including the revitalization of the agriculture industry.

Abe was first elected LDP president and prime minister in September 2006, but stepped down after only a year in office following the LDP's defeat in the July 2007 House of Councillors election.

Since returning as LDP president in September 2012, Abe led the party to victory in all five national elections. Jiji Press