ABE SEEN TO BECOME JAPAN’S LONGEST-SERVING PM
TOKYO— Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looks well placed to win a September ruling party leadership race, putting the conservative leader on track to become the longest-serving premier despite a challenge by a former defense minister for the party post.
Shigeru Ishiba, 61, promising to restore trust in politics, announced his candidacy on Friday for a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential election expected on Sept. 20.
Ahead in the polls
But media surveys suggest Abe, who took office for a second time in December 2012 promising to revive the economy and bolster defense, has already locked in 70 percent of the 405 votes from LDP mem- bers of parliament.
Another 405 votes will be apportioned based on votes by rank-and-file party members.
If no candidate wins a majority, a second round would be held with 405 votes from MPs and 47 from local party chapters.
Former foreign minister Fumio Kishida bowed out be- fore the race began and Internal Affairs Minister Seiko Noda is struggling to find the 20 backers needed to get on the ballot in a bid to become the country’s first female premier.
Party leadership
The winner of the LDP election gets a three-year term and is all but assured of the premiership because of the ruling bloc’s majority in parliament.
Ishiba is counting on his grass-roots popularity, but analysts say that’s unlikely to offset weak support among MPs.
Abe’s ratings have recovered after falling to around 30 percent earlier this year.
Still, a weekend survey by NHK public TV put voter support for Abe at 41 percent, tied with the percentage expressing disapproval.