The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan is currently facing significant internal decision-making as it approaches upcoming elections, with key discussions underway to determine potential gubernatorial candidates.
On December 19, 2023, members of the Akita Prefectural LDP chapter gathered for a governance meeting where they heard from two gubernatorial candidates: former prefectural assembly member Kenta Suzuki and former vice governor Kazumasa Saruta. This meeting is part of the party's effort to choose which candidate it will endorse for the upcoming gubernatorial election, scheduled to be announced next March.
During the meeting, representatives listened to the candidates outline their views on pressing local issues, hoping to gauge their fitness for the role. Despite the two candidates being well-known party figures, opinions within the Akita chapter are divided, compliculating the endorsement process. After 10-minute presentations from each candidate, both responded to media inquiries.
Saruta noted, "I have been advocating for the LDP's support, and I took the opportunity to reiterate my views and introduce myself again to party members". Meanwhile, Suzuki added, “I shared my perspectives and messages related to the responsibilities of my current role as well as the importance of our proximity as candidates." Following the session, Masatomi Shibata, the chapter’s vice president, indicated no decision had been reached on which candidate to endorse at this point.
Shibata elaborated on the candidates' backgrounds, emphasizing Saruta’s deep experience within administrative roles and Suzuki’s unique insights as a current assembly member, particularly concerning demographic challenges like declining birth rates and aging populations. He expressed urgency, stating, "It’s not feasible to delay making this decision for too long; we want to reach our conclusion within this year." This delineates key focus areas as the ruling party utilizes these internal conversations to navigate governance and operational leadership.
Shifting to the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly, notable movements occurred during its third extraordinary session, which closed on December 19, 2023. The assembly approved 39 proposals, including modifications to the fiscal budget for 2024 and the promotion of child-centered initiatives. Among the approved proposals was funding for delegations to conduct research aimed at improving government policies and citizens’ well-being.
The LDP and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) are undertaking this initiative together, as outlined by the assembly. The LDP delegation is scheduled to visit Switzerland and France from March 26 to 31, 2024, where they will engage with representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The focused agenda encompasses the examination of international responses to aging populations and infectious diseases, with taxpayer costs for these trips estimated at approximately ¥950,000 per participant.
Conversely, the CDP plans to send representatives to Hiroshima and Osaka at the end of January 2024 to evaluate local initiatives such as cycling tourism and the current state of cancer treatment technologies. These investigative measures reflect the parties’ commitment to adapting their policies according to global best practices.
On another political front, former LDP Minister of Economic Security, Takayuki Kobayashi, announced the establishment of his party study group on December 19, 2023, targeting the upcoming party presidential elections. This aligns with his theme of "A National Vision for Japan Looking Toward 2050," emphasizing long-term strategies for sustained governance, aiming to reinforce the party's ideological foundation regardless of its minority status.
The inaugural meeting attracted approximately 40 attendees, mainly comprising members who supported Kobayashi during the September elections. Upon kicking off the session, Kobayashi expressed determination to maintain the party's leadership role, regardless of the electoral challenges. He remarked, "Even as minority partners, we must solidify our approach to national governance based on our principles."
