Japan counts down to new PM as ruling party seeks to rebuild trust

Much at stake as LDP convenes to pick next leader after damaging slush fund scandal

- Walter Sim

China fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean on Sept 25 in what was its first public test launch.

Hours later, a Japanese warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait for the first time since World War II as part of a joint patrol with Australian and New Zealand destroyers.

As Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) convenes "The Match" on Sept 27 to pick Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's successor, the new leader will have to grapple with global uncertainties and intensifying regional military activity.

There has been a series of firsts in recent weeks: the Aug 26 breach of Japanese airspace by a Chinese military plane; the Sept 18 passage of China's Liaoning aircraft carrier through Japan's Iriomote and Yonaguni islands, the latter just 110km from Taiwan; and the Sept 23 use of warning flares by Japanese fighter jets in response to an intruding Russian patrol craft.

Geopolitics will be an immediate challenge for Japan's 102nd prime minister, who will be officially sworn in by the Diet on Oct 1, as Mr Kishida bows out over scandals and unhappiness over the rising cost of living.

All bets are now off, with the Japanese media in a tizzy to make sense of the twists and turns of the contest involving a record nine candidates. Reports are rife of warring party kingmakers – former prime ministers Yoshihide Suga and Taro Aso – vying to influence the outcome through backroom horse-trading.

Media surveys on Sept 26 suggest the winner would be former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, 43; former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67; or current Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, 63.