自民じみん総裁そうさい選せん あす選挙せんきょ日程にっていなど決定けっていへ 茂木もぎ氏しは立候補りっこうほ意向いこうを表明ひょうめい

Prime Minister Ishiba has announced his intention to resign, and in response, the Liberal Democratic Partys Presidential Election Management Committee has confirmed the cancellation of the series of procedures for deciding whether to hold the extraordinary presidential election that was scheduled for the 8th.

They want to decide on the schedule for the leadership election to choose a successor on the 9th.

The Liberal Democratic Partys Presidential Election Management Committee held a meeting and, in response to Prime Minister Ishibas announcement of his intention to resign, confirmed the cancellation of the series of procedures to determine whether to hold the extraordinary presidential election that was scheduled for the 8th, and notified the partys Diet members and prefectural chapters.

And on the 9th, they will hold another meeting to discuss the schedule for the party leadership election to choose a successor to Prime Minister Ishiba.

After the meeting, Chairman Aizawa of the Election Management Committee told reporters, At tomorrows meeting, I want to proceed with a sense of urgency so that we can decide on most of the schedule and other matters.

I want to do my utmost to make this leadership election one that embodies our determination to revitalize the party and regain the trust of the people, he said.

I would like to express my respect for the significant achievements made, including the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations, despite the difficult task of running a minority government.

On top of that, The Liberal Democratic Party is facing the greatest crisis since its founding, and we must unite as a party to create a new LDP.

We must solve the tough challenges both at home and abroad and move Japan forward, he said.

And he stated, No matter who becomes the next Prime Minister or party president, it will be an extremely difficult path to overcome this adversity. But precisely because of these challenging times, I want to dedicate everything I have—my experience in the party and government—to this country, expressing his intention to run as a candidate in the party leadership election to choose a successor to Prime Minister Ishiba.

Also, when asked whether he could secure the 20 nominators required to run for office, Mr. Motegi said, I am confident that I will be able to gather them.

Mr. Motegi is scheduled to hold a press conference soon, where he will explain the policies he plans to advocate in the party leadership election and how he intends to cooperate with opposition parties.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi, who ran in last years party leadership election, was asked by reporters on the morning of the 8th, as he entered the Prime Ministers Office, whether he intends to run in the leadership election to choose a successor to Prime Minister Ishiba. He replied, Since I have colleagues who fought alongside me last time, I would like to consult with them thoroughly.

Former Minister for Economic Security Takayuki Kobayashi also said, It is urgent to build a system in which both veterans and younger members can come together solidly as One LDP.

I want to thoroughly discuss this with my colleagues, he said.

Furthermore, attention is focused on the movements of former Economic Security Minister Takaichi, who competed with Prime Minister Ishiba in the runoff of last years party presidential election, and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Koizumi, who received the most votes from lawmakers in the first round of voting.