The campaign for the election of the Democratic Party of Japan leader has officially kicked off. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and three other DPJ Diet members have announced their candidacy.
They all must present clear policy agendas, and it is especially important that the three candidates vying for Mr. Noda's job show how their stances would differ from his and provide alternative platforms for DPJ members to consider. The DPJ will hold a party convention on Sept. 21 to elect the new party leader.
The three others who have announced their candidacy are former farm minister Hirotaka Akamatsu, former internal affairs minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and former farm minister Michihiko Kano. With the support of influential DPJ politicians such as DPJ Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi, DPJ policy chief Seiji Maehara and Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada, Mr. Noda is expected to easily defeat his challengers.