A Liberal Democratic Party reform committee wants to adopt an open system for recruiting candidates to run in national elections, according to a draft of the plan made available to Kyodo News.
The step, intended to introduce new talent and breathe fresh air into the party, is a turnaround from the LDP placing priority on incumbents, LDP officials said.
The plan stems from discussions with younger members of the party held by LDP Secretary General Shinzo Abe, head of the committee, and panel executive Yasuhisa Shiozaki.