A leading candidate for the presidency of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has indicated that a renegotiation of the trade deal with the United States could be considered if it is deemed unfavorable to Japan. Sanae Takaichi emphasized the need to “stand our ground” if any unfair aspects emerge during the implementation of the agreement, which includes a $550 billion Japanese investment fund aimed at reducing U.S. tariffs.
Takaichi made these remarks during a live broadcast on Fuji TV, just days before the LDP is scheduled to elect its new leader from among five candidates. Recent polls indicate that Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s Agriculture Minister, is currently the frontrunner among LDP lawmakers, while Takaichi enjoys substantial support among the party’s grassroots members.
According to surveys by Sankei newspaper and broadcaster JNN, around 30% of lawmakers are inclined to support Koizumi, with current Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi in second place and Takaichi in third. Approximately 20% of voters remain undecided ahead of the election.
In the event that no single candidate secures a majority in the first round of voting, the top two candidates will enter a runoff, competing for a total of 342 ballots—295 of which will be cast by lawmakers and 47 by regional branches of the LDP.
During the same broadcast, Koizumi lauded the trade agreement with the U.S., stating, “If any issues arise, they will be discussed at the appropriate level.” Furthermore, during a separate live appearance on public broadcaster NHK, the five candidates shared their thoughts on the potential visit by President Donald Trump to Japan later this month. They expressed their commitment to fostering personal connections with Trump and underscored the significance of Japan-U.S. relations. Should Trump visit Japan before an upcoming East Asia leaders meeting in South Korea, the new LDP leader may have the opportunity to meet him.
Hayashi stressed the importance of continuity from the administration of current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, seeking to build “a solid relationship of trust” with the U.S. leader. He articulated his hopes to collaborate with Trump on initiatives to “Make America Great Again” and to generate jobs in the U.S., particularly in manufacturing sectors.
This article was created from an automated news agency feed without modifications to the text.
