Shinjiro Koizumi’s Popularity Declines as Sanae Takaichi Eyes Opportunity Amid Potential Leadership Election Upheaval

Shinjiro Koizumi, regarded as the leading candidate in the LDP leadership election (voting on September 27), is “losing momentum.”

At his candidacy announcement on the 6th, a freelance journalist asked the impolite question,

“If you become Prime Minister and attend the G7, won’t you embarrass yourself due to your low intellectual level?”

Without being shaken,

“I’ll form the best team to make up for where I’m lacking.”

Koizumi responded.

 

The Meaning of a ‘Mere 1% Difference’

This response boosted Koizumi’s standing, and in some media outlets’ surveys on candidates people want to see as Prime Minister, he ranked second, just behind Shigeru Ishiba. In the leadership election, if no candidate wins a majority in the first round of voting by both Diet members and party members nationwide, a runoff is held between the top two candidates.

“There are a total of nine candidates running in the leadership race. With so many candidates, it’s unlikely the election will be decided in the first round. According to the predictions, Ishiba’s ‘victory’ in the first round is almost certain. The question is who his opponent will be, and Koizumi was considered the strongest contender, but..” (Nagatacho insider)

It is said that Koizumi’s popularity has suddenly plummeted.

In a unique survey conducted by Nippon TV, published on the 12th, targeting party members and supporters, Ishiba was in the lead with 25%. Takaichi Sanae was second with 18%, and Koizumi was third with 17%.

“Takaichi is rapidly rising, while Koizumi is struggling. Some view the mere 1-point difference as just a margin of error, but former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who supports Koizumi, has reportedly instructed those around him to make further efforts.”

Said a political reporter from a national newspaper.

“It’s certain that Koizumi will lose momentum.”

“In the debate, he will definitely slip up. Maybe he’s not confident in his policies, or perhaps he’s bad at ad-libbing. The reason we’ve rarely seen him on televised debate programs is said to be because Koizumi’s side has been avoiding them. Among younger lawmakers, Kobahawk (Takayuki Kobayashi) is definitely preferred over Koizumi.”