Tokyo, Sep 12 (V7N)- Voting has commenced in Japan to elect the interim president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), with nine candidates vying for the position. The successful candidate will become Japan's next Prime Minister, following the stepping down of current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

According to Japan’s state broadcaster NHK, voting began on Thursday morning and will continue until September 27, with the counting of votes taking place on the same day. The election allows participation from both LDP members of parliament and the general membership of the party.

The candidates for this year's election include:

1. Economic Security Minister Takaichi Sanae,

2. Former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki,

3. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa,

4. Former Environment Minister Koyumi Shinjiro,

5. Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa,

6. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu,

7. Digital Transformation Minister Kono Taro,

8. Former LDP Secretary General Ishiba Shigeru, 

9. Current Secretary General Motegi Toshimitsu.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced last month that he would not seek re-election as party president. His decision is viewed as an attempt to restore public confidence in the LDP, which has been embroiled in financial scandals. Despite taking measures to address the issues, Kishida’s approval ratings plummeted, leading to his decision to step aside.

Nevertheless, with the LDP holding a majority in Japan's lower house of parliament, there is no immediate threat to the party's control. The winner of the LDP's presidential election will automatically become the country’s new Prime Minister.

END/AJ/SMA