Commentary / Japan Jul 16, 2021
by Michael MacArthur Bosack
Factions matter in the LDP because they are critical for selecting who becomes the party president and hence who becomes prime minister.
National / Politics Jul 8, 2021
Major LDP faction leader Wataru Takeshita to retire from politics
The announcement comes as the 74-year-old former chair of the LDP General Council undergoes treatment after revealing an esophageal cancer diagnosis in 2019.
National / Politics Oct 1, 2018
Abe to give prime party posts to his close aides in LDP and Cabinet reshuffles
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided to offer his close aides key posts in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the upcoming reshuffles of his party leadership and Cabinet, according to government sources. Abe plans to appoint former economy minister Akira Amari as head of ...
National / Politics Aug 21, 2018
Contest between Abe and Ishiba, to lead Japan and ruling LDP, set for Sept. 20
by Tomohiro Osaki
Poll predicted to give Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a historic third term as LDP president, effectively extending his hold on power by up to another three years.
National / Politics Aug 9, 2018
Shigeru Ishiba to announce candidacy for LDP presidential race as party factions line up behind Abe
by Reiji Yoshida
As the LDP-Komeito coalition has a majority in both houses of the Diet, the race will effectively determine who will next sit as prime minister.
National Nov 24, 2017
LDP at odds on allowing same-sex partners of state guests the right to attend Imperial banquets
Senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are in disagreement over whether same-sex partners of state guests should be invited to banquets hosted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. After LDP General Council Chairman Wataru Takeshita voiced his opposition to the idea at a ...
National / Politics Aug 3, 2017
Kishida named LDP policy chief, freeing him to run against Abe for party presidency next year
by Tomohiro Osaki
Move appears to be compromise, bringing former foreign minister one step closer to his widely rumored bid to lead Japan.
National / Politics Sep 4, 2014
Tohoku residents wary of outsider picked as reconstruction minister
Newly appointed reconstruction minister Wataru Takeshita visits Fukushima Prefecture as evacuees from the 2011 disasters raise fears that he might be the wrong choice.