Summary
A leadership election was held in the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan on 28 September 2009 after the incumbent party leader and outgoing Prime Minister of Japan Tarō Asō announced that he would resign after losing badly in the general election held on 30 August 2009.[1] Asō announced on 8 September he would resign on 16 September 2009,[2] which he did as planned.[3]
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Candidates edit
In order to run in the election, a candidate must have the support of at least twenty LDP MPs. Since there are 387 LDP Diet members and 141 prefectural LDP representatives (three for each of the 47 prefectural chapters), there is a total of 528 votes.
Former finance minister Sadakazu Tanigaki announced on 13 September 2009 he would stand in the election. Tanigaki had also been a candidate in the 2006 leadership election, where he came in third place behind Shinzō Abe and Tarō Asō. Yasutoshi Nishimura and Tarō Kōno (son of former LDP leader Yōhei Kōno) are the other two announced candidates.[4]
Farm minister Shigeru Ishiba was also considered a possible candidate, but he did not stand.[5]
Declared edit
| Candidate(s) | Date of birth | Current position | Party faction | Electoral district | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
10 January 1963 (age 46) |
Member of the House of Representatives (since 1996) Previous offices held
|
Ikōkai (Asō) |
 | |
 |
15 October 1962 (age 46) |
Member of the House of Representatives (since 2003) Previous offices held
|
Seiwa Seisaku Kenkyūkai (Machimura) |
 | |
 |
7 March 1945 (age 64) |
Member of the House of Representatives (since 1983) Other offices |
Kōchikai (Koga) |
 | |
Recommenders edit
Campaign edit
A public debate was held on 19 September 2009.[6] Tanigaki was elected with 300 of 498 ballots.[7]
Results edit
| Candidates | Diet members | Party members | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadakazu Tanigaki | 120 | 180 | 300 |
| Taro Kono | 35 | 109 | 144 |
| Yasutoshi Nishimura | 43 | 11 | 54 |
| Grand Total | 198 | 300 | 498 |
- 1 invalid vote
References edit
- ^ AFP: Japan's next PM stresses US ties
- ^ Aso to resign as LDP chief on Sept. 16
- ^ Taro Aso resigns as LDP president - People's Daily Online
- ^ 3 candidates announce candidacies for LDP president election - People's Daily Online
- ^ Japan's former finance minister to run for LDP chief election - People's Daily Online
- ^ LDP candidates hold debate ahead of party presidential election - People's Daily Online
- ^ Sadakazu Tanigaki elected president of Japan's main opposition LDP - People's Daily Online