How well the LDP does in the upcoming Lower House election will depend not only on Kishida but also four top party officials who were appointed Friday.
Kansai LDP chapters strongly backed the presumptive prime minister's main rival, but the business community was more in favor of Kishida, largely due to his support for nuclear power.
Criticized as bland and indecisive following his loss in the September 2020 LDP presidential race, Kishida is seen as having grown tougher and more passionate this time round.
While all candidates see some future for nuclear energy, they are divided on whether to increase its share of electricity generation and how to handle renewables.
The LDP presidential race has put renewed focus on the powerful position, with various party heavyweights looking to get rid of the long-standing incumbent.
Massive budget cuts have been proposed to stem the losses now that international tourism to the city has all but dried up.
The government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the constitutionality of lockdowns and the challenge the pandemic has posed for the medical system were central themes on Saturday.
At the recent International Conference for Women in Business, how to make progress, and whether voluntary targets are enough, formed the basis of much of the discussion.
Support from rank-and-file members will be key for candidates, but if the election goes to a runoff, LDP lawmakers will have a bigger say.
Kishida, taking a page from the Biden’s administration's multilateral approach to dealing with Beijing, has called for Tokyo to work even more closely with other "like-minded" democracies.
