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Whoever leads the LDP next needs to balance holding together an increasingly fractured party with building alliances with opposition parties to pass legislation, as well as handling U.S. political instability and tough economic headwinds. Motegi probably ticks a couple of those boxes, at least.

The Japan Times@japantimes.co.jp

The race to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has kicked off, with LDP heavyweight Toshimitsu Motegi on Monday becoming the first to announce his candidacy, a day after Ishiba said he would step down.

ebx.shRace to replace Ishiba kicks off as LDP heavyweight Motegi throws hat into ringFormer party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi became the first to announce he is running in a party presidential election, with others expected to follow soon.

Rob Fahey

@robfahey.net

He’s one of the more palatable figures to right-wingers in the party, while having a track record of working with centrist colleagues. As a former faction leader he’ll be able to scrape up the 20 nominations required; but he’d need to do some very deft backroom deals to pull together a majority.

8/9/25, 6:13 am1 repost1 like

Rob Fahey

@robfahey.net

8 Sept 2025

His background in foreign affairs and economic roles do suggest that he’s well suited to the current moment, but short of convincing some major party groupings that he’s the best compromise candidate, I don’t think he personally has the support to pull this off.