Ishiba and Koizumi speed ahead as LDP presidential race kicks off

On Thursday, the Liberal Democratic Party held its inaugural event, featuring nine candidates for the presidency, led by Toshimitsu Motegi at the podium.
With a record nine candidates, the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership campaign officially began on Thursday. Each has a unique perspective on the nation’s economic, security, and demographic challenges.
Among the presidential contenders, which include both younger legislators and seasoned veterans, two have emerged as front-runners: former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba and former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi.