Former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is set to run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race, sources close to him said Wednesday, pitting him against Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who doubles as head of the party.
Also on Wednesday, Suga told Toshihiro Nikai, the No. 2 LDP leader, that he has nothing against following the schedule for the party's presidential election once it is set, a source familiar with their meeting said.
Suga's term as LDP president is set to expire on Sept. 30, and the party is slated to decide Thursday on the schedule for its leadership race. The party plans to hold the election on Sept. 29, with campaigning starting on Sept. 17, party sources have said.