Japan's Farm Minister Koizumi intends to run in LDP presidential race, Sankei reports

FILE PHOTO: Japanese Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo

FILE PHOTO: Japanese Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a tasting event of stockpiled rice in Tokyo, Japan May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

Japan's Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi intends to run in the next Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, the Sankei newspaper reported on Friday.

The LDP will elect a new leader on October 4 to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in a full voting process rather than a simplified voting procedure.

Koizumi, the son of former Premier Junichiro Koizumi, gained prominence as Ishiba's farm minister tasked with curbing soaring rice prices.

He and Sanae Takaichi, a veteran fiscal dove who local media say has decided to run, are seen as frontrunners in the race.

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