Former LDP Secretary-General Nikai Criticizes Early Start of LDP President Election: "It's Too Early"

Former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Jun'ichi Nikai, criticized the active movements of potential "post-Kishida" candidates aiming for the September LDP presidential election on the 30th. He told reporters in Wakayama City, "There is still plenty of time until the presidential election. It's too early to start talking about the presidential election."

While predicting that the number of candidates will narrow as the presidential election draws closer, former Secretary-General Nikai stated, "I hope a good person is selected."

Recently, within Japan, attention has been focused on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's position following the results of the by-elections for three House of Representatives constituencies held on April 28th. While these by-elections were crucial for Prime Minister Kishida's continued leadership, the LDP only fielded its own candidate in Shimane Prefecture's 1st district out of the three constituencies.

Amidst this, the disciplinary measures announced on the 4th regarding the LDP's political funds party issue have faced criticism from the public. In particular, there have been criticisms that the disciplinary measures against Shinzo Abe's faction, the Abe faction, were somewhat disproportionate. Former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tatsuo Shioya, and former Secretary-General of the House of Councillors, Hironao Seko, both from the Abe faction, were given a "recommendation to leave the party." Hirofumi Fumura, former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Yasutoshi Nishimura, former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, received the next most severe penalty of a "one-year suspension of party membership." Takeshi Takagi, former chairman of the LDP's Diet affairs, who served as secretary-general until the decision to dissolve the Abe faction, was given a "six-month suspension of party membership." On the other hand, former Secretary-General Nikai, like Prime Minister Kishida, whose faction's treasurer was indicted, received no disciplinary action.

Regarding these disciplinary measures, some have criticized that "they are insufficient to reflect the public's anger." In particular, regarding the rebate issue that former Prime Minister Abe announced he would abolish, it is difficult to understand why there was a difference in the level of punishment for the four individuals (Shioya, Fumura, Nishimura, and Seko) who attended the meeting where the continuation of the rebate after Abe's death was decided.

Currently, Prime Minister Kishida is scheduled to visit the United States on April 10th for a state visit and hold a summit with President Joe Biden. This seems to be an attempt to emphasize "Kishida's diplomacy," but it remains uncertain whether this will be a sufficient appeal.

Currently, Prime Minister Kishida is aiming to be re-elected in the September presidential election, but given the current political climate, his chances of re-election seem uncertain. While Prime Minister Kishida emphasizes "listening," the prevailing view within the party is that he "doesn't listen."

In this situation, the possibility of Prime Minister Kishida opting for a snap election is also being raised.

Meanwhile, along with Prime Minister Kishida's position, movements surrounding "post-Kishida" are becoming increasingly active. Taro Aso, Vice President of the LDP and a member of the mainstream faction, Mitsuru Motegi, Secretary-General, and Yoshihide Suga, former Prime Minister and a member of the non-mainstream faction, are engaged in a power struggle.

Currently, Japanese politics is focused on "power struggles" rather than "policy debates." The public is expressing disappointment with this political reality and expressing concerns that even if a new political leader emerges, they will not be significantly different from existing politicians.