【22日にじゅうににちの動うごき更新こうしん中ちゅう】自民党じみんとう総裁そうさい選せん告示こくじ5人ごにんの候補こうほ者しゃは

The Liberal Democratic Party presidential election began accepting candidates from 10 a.m., and five people have filed their candidacy.

The five will attend a public debate at party headquarters in the afternoon, marking the start of full-fledged discussions.

We will provide updates as needed, focusing on the movements of each camp on the 22nd.

Mr. Kobayashi told reporters, I want to advocate for policies that build a strong economy and represent the views of the working generation.

The other candidates are all senior lawmakers, but I want to face them head-on without hesitation for the future of our country, he said.

Mr. Motegi said, I want to devote everything I have experienced in the party and the government to this country.

Revitalize Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party, and firmly pass the baton to the next generation in two years.

I want to pave the way for that, he said.

Prior to this, Mr. Motegi visited a shrine near the Diet with about 20 lawmakers who support him to pray for victory.

When Takasugi Shinsaku raised his army, he said, If there is substance, after tonight, everyone will come. With that mindset, I will firmly advocate for my policies and fight through to the end.

I would like to focus on increasing the number of allies while making use of my experience from last years presidential election, he said.

I want to make Japan a country with a strong economy and a strong land.

We will advocate for economic growth to achieve that.

We will return to our founding spirit that politics begins with the people, and make the Liberal Democratic Party one that can turn your voices into policies, he said.

After this, Ms. Takaichi held a kick-off ceremony in the Diet building and, together with about 30 other lawmakers, chanted Let’s do our best! three times.

In response to reporters asking about the possibility of an early dissolution of the House of Representatives and a general election, Ms. Takaichi said, That is unthinkable.

There are many things we can urgently do now to address rising prices, as well as things we can do looking ahead, and the top priority is to thoroughly deliberate these matters in the Diet, he said.

On top of that, the situation the party is currently in is truly critical.

I looked back on this past year, facing what I was lacking and feeling sorry to my teammates after our defeat, he said.

On top of that, the situation the party is currently in is truly critical.

Recalling how President Tanigaki managed to hold on for three years during his time in the opposition and worked hard to maintain unity within the party, I feel determined to fight through to the end together with my colleagues, carefully and sincerely.

I want to make these 12 days a period in which we present a clear vision regarding various issues that the public has long questioned about our party, such as problems related to politics and money.

On top of that, many experienced and capable individuals are running as candidates.

We expect robust discussions from a medium- to long-term perspective on issues such as the steady realization of a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution, the maintenance and strengthening of a free and open international economic order—both of which are urgent and important policy challenges—as well as the vision for the revitalized Liberal Democratic Party and the national vision.