Yukio Edano, former leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), is seeking a return to the top post three years after resigning. Edano, 60, has informed party members of his intention to run in the presidential election in September.
Edano met with Hirotaka Akamatsu, former vice speaker of the Lower House and leader of the CDP's largest faction, Sanctuary, on July 9th to inform him of his decision. Akamatsu remains a highly influential figure within the party despite retiring as a lawmaker.
Edano is seeking the Sanctuary faction's backing to secure the necessary 20 member nominations required to run in the presidential race. The winner of the September election will be seen as a potential candidate for Prime Minister in the upcoming Lower House election.
Incumbent CDP President Kentaro Izumi is also expected to run for re-election, but Edano is considered a strong challenger. Edano has a long history in Japanese politics, having been elected to the Lower House 10 times from the Saitama 5th District.
In 2017, Edano was excluded from the Party of Hope, led by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, during the Lower House election. He subsequently formed the CDP, which became the main opposition party. Edano resigned as president in 2021 following the party's poor performance in the Lower House election.