Good looks, a knack for public speaking and an illustrious surname — it is no wonder that Shinjiro Koizumi has been at the center of media attention since he was first elected to parliament in 2009 at the age of 28.
Now he's looking to capitalize on his popularity in the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential vote later this week, with the winner effectively becoming prime minister.
After he formally announced his candidacy for the Sept. 27 LDP leadership race earlier this month, Koizumi quickly emerged as one of the front-runners, backed by solid support from both the public and the party’s lawmakers.
The 43-year-old is determined to sweep away his earlier missteps as well as simmering doubts over his suitability for the top job, promising to be a leader who can steer the country through rough waters.
But is he really ready to lead the country? While there are some concerns, many seem to think he is.
Together with former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and economic security minister Sanae Takaichi, Koizumi has consistently appeared in the top 3 in recent public opinion polls.
A Jiji Press survey conducted Sunday found that, among the nine candidates, he has the support of the highest number of party lawmakers in the race.
Koizumi’s pledge to deliver economic and political reform might also have energized hopes for a generational change among a public increasingly weary of old-fashioned politics.
During the campaign, Koizumi hasn’t shied away from discussing divisive issues such as the possibility of allowing married couples to retain different surnames, a revision on the rules on corporate layoffs and an overhaul of the political funding system.
On the easing of the rules surrounding employee dismissal, however, Koizumi has had to change tack amid a backlash over the idea, yet his remarks sparked public debate and helped ignite a broader discussion on the issue among the other candidates.
“He has known how hard it is to be responsible for the country since he was a child,” Lower House lawmaker Naoki Furukawa, who is backing Koizumi in the election, said. “But he’s just an ordinary person, able to communicate with other ordinary people.”
Koizumi’s distance from the government and the party leadership under the administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have contributed to his popularity.
After serving as environment minister for two years, Koizumi stayed outside of government, occupying only minor positions within the party.
His lack of affiliation with any of the party factions has kept him out of the spotlight after a high-profile slush funds scandal shook the party to its foundations.
Though his political pedigree is nothing new for the LDP, his charisma and youthful energy might be exactly what the party needs right now.
Like former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga — a fellow Kanagawa Prefecture lawmaker and one of his closest mentors — Koizumi has been a vocal critic of the faction system and a fierce advocate of party reform.
And now it’s Suga who’s propping up Koizumi’s candidacy and helping him expand his support base within the party, which was rather weak prior to the election. Among the 20 LDP lawmakers who formally supported his candidacy, 14 haven’t been affiliated with any of the party’s large factions. Many lawmakers seen as close to Suga have expressed their support for Koizumi.
“For Koizumi, having Suga’s backing means he can be trusted,” said one of Koizumi's 20 supporters, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Suga is not the only party bigwig who has thrown his weight behind Koizumi. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori also voiced support for him in a recent interview with the Hokkoku Shimbun.
“As a politician, he’s quick to make decisions on things,” Mori said, applauding Koizumi. “I think he’s the most suitable one as the party’s leader.”
Mori still retains influence over members of the faction once led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Although the group is now dissolved, his endorsement might help boost Koizumi’s candidacy if push comes to shove.
The backing of policy experts such as trade minister Ken Saito and veterans like former internal affairs minister Seiko Noda and LDP election committee chairwoman Yuko Obuchi is also likely to assuage some concerns about Koizumi’s lack of experience — but not all.
Recent debates have brought Koizumi’s scarce policy knowledge to light, which is especially noticeable next to the more battle-tested candidates.
While other presidential hopefuls offer more articulate answers during debates, Koizumi often resorts to anecdotes to prove his point and make the case for his candidacy, sometimes side-stepping questions entirely.
And at a time when establishing personal relations with foreign leaders is becoming increasingly vital, Koizumi's lack of diplomatic experience is drawing some concerns.
Despite attending university in the United States and working at a think tank there for a short period, Koizumi has never served at the foreign ministry.
The inexperience shows. During a debate at a Japan National Press Club earlier this month, he said that he plans to establish a direct line of communication with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to solve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, underlining that he and Kim are part of the same generation and that they’re both fathers.
"It’s true that I’m not perfect, and that I have many shortcomings,” Koizumi said when he first announced his candidacy. “But I will build up a dream team that can make up for them.”
His resolve to tackle divisive issues might turn out to be a double-edged sword, heightening the risk of antagonizing members of the party and making it hard for him to pursue his political agenda.
In a party that values consensus-based decision-making, an overly top-down leadership style might cause friction and worsen his standing among his fellow lawmakers — in the event that he wins.
“There were times when I faced harsh criticism for being a hereditary politician and times when I was widely praised,” Koizumi said when he announced his candidacy. “These situations will continue to occur in the future and I will do my best in the hope of gaining recognition.”
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.