TOKYO, Aug 26 (NNN-NHK) – Japan’s former Foreign Minister, Fumio Kishida, plans to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)’s leadership race, competing against Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, who doubles as the party chief, local media reported, yesterday.
Kishida, who heads a faction of the party, is slated to announce his candidacy today, local media cited sources familiar with the matter, as saying.
Suga’s term as the LDP president is set to expire on Sept 30, and the LDP will decide on the schedule for the leadership race today, according to local media reports.
In a meeting with Toshihiro Nikai, LDP’s number two leader, Suga said, he has nothing against following schedule for the party’s presidential election, once it is set, local media reported.
Their talks were held a day after Nikai said, in a press conference, that, he supports the re-election of Suga as the LDP president.
LDP Diet affairs chief, Hiroshi Moriyama, also voiced support for Suga, on Tuesday.
If re-elected as the ruling party leader, Suga would likely ensure that he remains as the prime minister.– NNN-NHK
