Kishida Wins LDP Election to become New Prime Minister of Japan

Kishida defeated Kono, who was initially favored to win due to high poll numbers and support from the party base. While Kono secured a plurality of the popular vote, support from elected officials in Japan’s parliament ensured Kishida’s victory. 

The election followed current Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's announcement that he would not run in the upcoming election. The decision came amid Suga’s falling popularity due to his approach to the Tokyo Summer Olympics and the COVID-19 pandemic, and it opened the way for Kishida, Kono, Sanae Takaichi, and Seiko Noda to run. The latter two were eliminated in the first round, leaving Kishida and Kono in the final round. 

The two finalists differ on a number of issues, including energy and international relations. While Kishida is a strong advocate for nuclear power, Kono maintains a more skeptical stance. Kishida also believes in continuing his predecessors’ socially conservative stances, while Kono is more liberal on issues such as same-sex marriage. Additionally, Kono supports amending the Japanese Constitution to permit its Self-Defense Forces to fight in wars, which Kishida has generally opposed. As such, Kishida is regarded as more moderate on foreign policy matters. 

Altogether, Kishida’s victory is not expected to substantially alter Japanese policy. Japan’s and South Korea’s troubled relations will not improve dramatically, according to Korean analysts. Kishida’s government will also continue Japan’s cooperation with the United States and its other Quad allies, India and Australia, in dealing with China’s ambitions in the South China Sea. However, Kishida is not a China hawk like others in the LDP, as Kishida has noted his desire for stable relations. Even so, he has promised to back Taiwan’s proposal to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major free trade agreement between eleven countries on both sides of the Pacific. 

One area where Kishida has pledged to differentiate himself from his predecessors is economics. During his first press conference, he promised a stimulus package worth trillions of yen. He has also strongly objected to income inequality, promoting the importance of increasing middle-class wealth as a pro-family measure. His style contrasts with that of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had a more neoliberal approach–also known as Abenomics.

Because the LDP has a majority in the National Diet, Japan’s parliament, its leader will become Prime Minister. Kishida is expected to be confirmed by the Diet on October 4, when he will officially begin his duties. Though a new face with some new policies, Fumio Kishida will likely govern in the same style that has allowed the LDP to remain in power almost continuously since 1955. His mandate will be tested as he leads the LDP in Japan’s general elections this November.