The race to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has intensified as prominent figures officially announced their candidacies on Tuesday. The upcoming vote, scheduled for early October, aims to select a successor to outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned following a series of electoral setbacks that have complicated the party’s leadership transition. Among the contenders is Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, who confirmed his bid during a press conference. Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, has garnered attention for his efforts to stabilize rice prices this year. Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, who previously secured the fewest votes in last year’s leadership contest, has pledged to support Koizumi, emphasizing the need for party unity. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Ishiba’s top spokesperson, also declared his candidacy on social media platform X, vowing to lead a government that balances stability and growth. Other notable candidates include former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, who outlined policy proposals ranging from temporary income-tax cuts to stricter immigration controls. Former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi, a strong advocate for government stimulus and monetary easing, is expected to announce her candidacy soon, potentially making history as Japan’s first female leader. Media polls suggest Koizumi and Takaichi are the frontrunners in this highly competitive race. The LDP, which has dominated Japan’s post-war political landscape, faces additional challenges as it lost its majority in both houses of parliament during Ishiba’s tenure, complicating the selection of the next leader.