The runners are former prime minister Noda Yoshihiko; former party president Edano Yukio; current leader Izumi Kenta; and Yoshida Harumi, a rookie lawmaker.

The 17-day campaign is expected to focus on possible strategies to challenge the ruling coalition. Topics will likely include the LDP’s slush funds issue, as well as how to reform politics and boost cooperation among members of the opposition bloc.

Attention is focused on whether the party can win power at a general election. Some CDP members played key roles when the now-defunct Democratic Party of Japan ran the country from 2009 to 2012.

Profiles of the four candidates

Noda Yoshihiko led the DPJ and was prime minister from 2011 to 2012. Although he was reluctant at first to run for the CDP president, he decided to take part in the election at the request of both young and senior legislators. The 67-year- old is known to be one of the biggest sake lovers in politics.

Edano Yukio was also a member of the DPJ and served as Chief Cabinet Secretary in 2011. The 60-year-old is aiming to become CDP leader for a second time. He belonged to a choral club in high school and likes karaoke.

Party president Izumi Kenta was Cabinet Office parliamentary vice-minister during the DPJ government. He became the president three years ago by beating three other candidates. The 50-year-old enjoys DIY at home, and likes rabbits.

Yoshida Harumi is the only rookie lawmaker among the candidates. In 2021, the 52-year-old defeated a veteran of the LDP and was elected to the Lower House. As a child she used to help her family run a fruit and vegetable shop.

Diplomatic and security policies

The four candidates held their second debate in the western city of Fukuoka on Sunday.

Noda said his vision was of a Pacific Charter that would ensure regional peace and prosperity, with Japan and the United States playing a central role.

He said he will devise a realistic diplomatic strategy within this dynamic framework.

Edano said the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement grants extraterritorial rights to the US, and Japan should assert its position more strongly.

He also argued that Japan should engage in diplomacy for peacebuilding from its unique perspective, including participating in meetings of states party to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as an observer.

Izumi, on the other hand, said Japan should place more emphasis on building relationships with Asia-Pacific and African countries.

He also stressed that Japan should work on peace diplomacy and technical cooperation in addressing climate change and environmental issues.

Yoshida called the Japan-US alliance the axis of Japan’s security and diplomacy. She added that Japan should continue to be a peaceful nation, and must never give up this position.

She also suggested the key to security is to pursue diplomacy centered on the economy.

Who gets to vote?

In the CDP leadership election, a total of 740 points are allocated to Diet members, local assembly members, rank-and-file party members, supporters and others. Any candidate who can secure more than 50 percent of those points becomes leader.

370 points will be allocated to national legislators and prospective candidates. 272 ​​points will be allocated to 136 Diet members, including the vice speaker of both houses of the Diet, at 2 points each. And 98 points will be allocated to prospective candidates in national elections , at 1 point each.

Meanwhile, groups of 1,236 local assembly members across the country and 114,792 rank-and-file party members and supporters get 185 points each.

Any candidate who wins a majority will be the new leader. If there is no candidate with more than 50 percent of the points, a runoff will be held between the top two.

After 17 days of campaigning, counting will take place on the final day, September 23rd, at a hotel in Tokyo.