Ishiba, Abe likely to run dead heat in LDP presidential race

Rabu, 26 September 2012 13:40

(TOKYO-Kyodo) Wednesday's election to select the next leader of the Liberal Democratic Party is expected to be a neck-and-neck contest between former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the winner aiming to become Japan's next prime minister after a general election due within a year.

According to a Kyodo News tally, Ishiba has so far secured the strongest support among rank-and-file party members, overtaking Abe, but is unlikely to obtain a majority in the initial ballot, leading to a runoff between the top two candidates in which only LDP lawmakers will vote.

While Abe could secure greater backing from lawmakers, Nobuteru Ishihara, secretary general of the main opposition party, could also win significant support from Diet members and battle with the former premier for second place.

Ishiba, who does not belong to an LDP faction, could lose in the end to Abe or Ishihara, should a runoff take place for the first time in 40 years in the leadership election.

The possibility, however, cannot be ruled out that LDP lawmakers seeking to capitalize on Ishiba's popularity ahead of a looming general election will be swayed to vote for the former defense minister, helping him to become party leader.

Ishiba, known as a security expert, has received extensive media exposure as his hawkish views on defense issues have gained public support amid souring relations between Japan and neighbors China and South Korea over territorial disputes.

"I'd like to get support from those who are in favor of my policies, which I believe will benefit Japan and the LDP," Ishiba told reporters Wednesday morning, expressing his hope that more Diet members will vote for him.

Abe, known for his nationalistic views, is subject to criticism over his September 2007 resignation as premier due to health problems after only a year in office, following the LDP's loss in the House of Councillors election in July that year.

"I was reportedly viewed as an underdog (at the start of the campaign), but I think I have been able to turn around the situation," Abe told reporters.

Ishihara has been lambasted by some LDP lawmakers for having betrayed his boss, incumbent LDP chief Sadakazu Tanigaki, who decided to bow out of the party election after several days of wrangling with the party's No. 2 man, the eldest son of hawkish Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara.

Former Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura, who has fallen ill during the leadership race, and former economic and fiscal policy minister Yoshimasa Hayashi have failed to increase their support.

The five are vying to become LDP chief by securing a majority of the 498 votes -- 198 to be cast by Diet members and 300 by local party branches. If no contender wins a majority in the initial round of voting, a runoff election involving only lawmakers will be held.

LDP lawmakers are scheduled to start voting from 1 p.m. at the party's headquarters.