Official campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election kicked off Friday, setting in motion a two-week race widely predicted to give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe another three years in office.
However, what was supposed to be a hectic day packed with speeches and debates by candidates got off to an unusually quiet start as Abe and his only challenger, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, prioritized responding to the aftermath of a magnitude 6.7 quake that had jolted southern Hokkaido a day earlier.
Their planned speeches and joint appearances at a news conference have been rescheduled for Monday, following a decision by the LDP to refrain from holding any election-related event until Sunday. Their policy debate at the Japan National Press Club, slated for Saturday, is expected to be postponed until Friday next week, according to reports.