Shigeru Ishiba Leads LDP Presidential Race in Public Opinion
Shigeru Ishiba has emerged as the frontrunner in the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) presidential election, according to a recent Asahi Shimbun survey. The poll, conducted on September 14th and 15th, found that 26% of respondents believe Ishiba is the most suitable candidate to lead the party.
Ishiba, a former LDP secretary-general, enjoys a comfortable lead over his closest rivals, Shinjiro Koizumi and Sanae Takaichi, who received 21% and 11% of the vote, respectively. The remaining candidates, Yoko Kamikawa, Taro Kono, Takayuki Kobayashi, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, trailed significantly behind.
The LDP's presidential election will be held on September 27th, and the winner is virtually guaranteed to become Japan's next prime minister. The outcome of the election will be determined by a combination of votes from LDP lawmakers and rank-and-file members.
Interestingly, the survey revealed a difference in preferences between the general public and LDP supporters. While Ishiba leads among the general public, Koizumi is the preferred candidate among LDP supporters. This suggests that the party's internal dynamics may play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election.
The survey also explored public opinion on the LDP's decision to endorse lawmakers implicated in a political funding scandal. A significant majority (76%) of respondents expressed disapproval of this decision.
In a separate question, respondents were asked about their preferred candidate in the upcoming presidential election of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP). Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda emerged as the frontrunner, with 29% of the vote, followed by Yukio Edano at 15%.
Finally, the survey examined party support ahead of a potential Lower House election. The LDP saw a slight increase in support, reaching 28%, while the CDP remained steady at 7%. The Japan Innovation Party also remained unchanged at 2%.
In the proportional representation system, the LDP enjoyed its highest support since May 2023, with 37% of respondents indicating they would vote for the party. The CDP saw a slight increase in support, reaching 16%, while the Japan Innovation Party experienced a slight decline to 9%.