The registration for the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election in Japan has begun at the party headquarters in Tokyo. Out of the nine politicians officially registering their candidacies, notable figures include Sanae Takaichi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Shinjiro Koizumi, and Taro Kono, among others. The voting process involves party lawmakers and rank-and-file members casting their votes, with local politicians' views seen as a reflection of public opinion, potentially influencing the selection process.
The crowded field of candidates is expected to spread the votes of LDP Diet members, leading to a situation where even the votes of local party members could impact the voting behavior of lawmakers. The importance of local members' opinions was highlighted by candidate Shigeru Ishiba, who stressed that it is the local assembly members who directly face voters' criticisms. The election, which will determine the next Prime Minister of Japan, involves a complex voting system where the votes of Diet members count initially but could be influenced by local members in the event of a runoff between top candidates.
The current system was established after the 2012 LDP presidential election, emphasizing the value of local votes in preventing a result that does not align with the will of party members. With the LDP grappling with a political fund scandal, the outcome of the election and the role of local votes are crucial for maintaining support within the party and avoiding a standstill in its operations. In a runoff scenario, where only the top two candidates compete, the significance of each vote, whether from Diet members or prefectural branches, could determine the course of the election and the future leadership of Japan.