Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will be selecting a new leader by September 27.

This comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s surprise announcement that he will be stepping down.

The 67-year-old veteran who took office in October 2021 says he was bowing out of the race to pave the way for a new leader to form a united LDP to make a fresh start to regain public trust, badly hurt by the party’s extensive corruption scandal, causing his support ratings to dip below 20%.

Within days of the prime minister’s declaration, local Japan media has speculated nearly a dozen possible candidates, with some already announcing their interest in leading a party desperate for public support.

They include young lawmaker and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi; three of the party’s female veterans, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi and former Gender Equality Minister Seiko Noda; as well as past runner-ups, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba who is an all-time favourite among the general public.

On this episode of Morning Shot, Stephen Nagy (Neggy), Professor of Politics & International Studies at the International Christian University & Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs analyses what the LDP needs in order to regain public confidence, as well as regional implications.

Presented by: Emaad Akhtar
Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

Japan&rsquo;s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will be selecting a new leader by September 27.
This comes after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida&rsquo;s surprise announcement that he will be stepping down.
The 67-year-old veteran who took office in October 2021 says he was bowing out of the race to pave the way for a new leader to form a united LDP to make a fresh start to regain public trust, badly hurt by the party&rsquo;s extensive corruption scandal, causing his support ratings to dip below 20%.
Within days of the prime minister&rsquo;s declaration, local Japan media has speculated nearly a dozen possible candidates, with some already announcing their interest in leading a party desperate for public support.
They include young lawmaker and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi; three of the party&rsquo;s female veterans, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi and former Gender Equality Minister Seiko Noda; as well as past runner-ups, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba who is an all-time favourite among the general public.
On this episode of Morning Shot,&nbsp;Stephen Nagy (Neggy), Professor of Politics &amp; International Studies at the International Christian University &amp; Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs analyses what the LDP needs in order to regain public confidence, as well as regional implications.
Presented by: Emaad Akhtar Produced &amp; Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

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Start your day with the stories shaping Singapore &mdash; and your place in it.
Join Neil Humphreys and Audrey Siek as they cover the biggest headlines, trending topics, and everyday conversations, unpacked through fresh perspectives, expert insights, and engaging discussion. From current affairs and social issues to lifestyle trends and community voices, each segment offers a different lens on what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; and what&rsquo;s worth your attention.
And it&rsquo;s not just talk &mdash; it&rsquo;s your voice. Through polls, messages, and live call-ins, listeners are part of the conversation, sharing their views and shaping the discussion in real time. With a mix of clarity, curiosity, and personality, Let&rsquo;s Talk, Singapore keeps you informed, connected, and ready for the day ahead.