The ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday officially designated Sept. 20 as the date for its presidential election — a poll predicted to give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a historic third term as LDP president, effectively extending his prime ministership by up to another three years.
The LDP's election management committee also announced that the official campaign season, during which policy debates and street speeches by candidates are usually held, will kick off on Sept. 7.
The two front-runners in the race are Abe and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba.