Shinjiro Koizumi Announces Candidacy for LDP Leadership

Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi will run for the ruling party leadership race, TBS reported. The 43-year-old son of ex-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is the newest candidate seeking to replace Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who will step down in September after a three-year term.

Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has announced his candidacy for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race. The announcement was made during a press conference on August 30, as reported by broadcaster TBS.

Koizumi, who is 43 years old and the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, joins the race to replace current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Kishida is set to step down as LDP chief in September, effectively concluding his three-year leadership of the world's fourth-largest economy.

Koizumi's entry into the race is expected to add a new dynamic to the competition within the LDP, which has maintained a dominant position in Japanese politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)