Takaichi Faces Backlash from Supporters Over Negative Campaigns Amid Party Concerns About Election Viability
The outcome of the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election (voting on September 27) is becoming chaotic.
Starting off strong is former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who has gained support as a “kingmaker” backed by former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and has been touted as the leading candidate. However, with each debate, his approval ratings have plummeted, and some media polls indicate he has already fallen out of contention for the top two seats in the presidential election.
“His vague ‘one-phrase responses’ are inherited from his father, former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. It has long been whispered that ‘the flaws will eventually show,’ but it has come too soon,” said a Nagatacho insider.
On the other hand, Sanae Takaichi, the Minister for Economic Security, is facing a series of troubling issues as her popularity rapidly rises.
One issue is that Takaichi sent policy leaflets to party members before the presidential election.
In this presidential election, on September 3, the election management committee decided to aim for a “cost-free presidential election” by prohibiting the mailing of policy pamphlets. Takaichi claims that she completed the mailing procedures by the end of August, but on the BS Nittere program broadcast on the 16th, former Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba’s supporter, House of Representatives member Masaaki Hirano, stated,
“No other camp has sent anything at all”
And stated firmly. Regarding the factors behind Takaichi’s rapid rise,
“There is an analysis suggesting that had an impact”
He mentioned.
On the 11th, Election Management Committee Chairman Ichiro Aizawa verbally cautioned Takaichi. Despite this, discontent has emerged from other candidates, and the party leadership, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, has requested the presidential election management committee to take additional actions. The aforementioned Nagatacho insider stated,
“Takaichi is pretending it’s a coincidence, but no one believes it. There’s no doubt that questions remain about the fairness of the presidential election.”
And condemned.
The second issue is that among the 20 supporters for Takaichi, 13, including House of Representatives member Mio Sugita, are labeled as “under-the-table money politicians.” This number is particularly outstanding compared to other candidates.
