Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is planning to run in the leadership contest of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), which will be held next month. Noda, who currently serves as one of the party's chief executive advisers, is expected to announce his candidacy as early as this week.
The CDP's leadership election is scheduled for September 23, with official campaigning starting on September 7. Noda plans to call for a change in government by defeating the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the next Lower House election. He is also expected to call the LDP to account over a recent fund-raising scandal and seek thorough political reform.
In a speech in Nasu-Shiobara, Tochigi Prefecture, on August 24, Noda criticized LDP lawmakers for preparing for their own leadership contest on September 27 without earnestly reflecting on the scandal. "The CDP will be required to root out the questions surrounding money in politics," he said.
Noda served as prime minister between 2011 and 2012 as leader of the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan. The party ended its three years in power when it was defeated by the LDP in a Lower House election in December 2012 that was called by Noda.
Yukio Edano, 60, former party leader, has announced his candidacy for the CDP leadership contest, while Kenta Izumi, 50, the incumbent leader, is trying to secure endorsements from 20 party lawmakers to seek re-election.