Japan's Digital Minister Taro Kono speaks during a press conference as he announces his candidacy of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, at the parliament in Tokyo, on Aug. 26, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's governing party, Liberal Democratic Party’s Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi speaks during a press conference as he announces his candidacy of the party's presidential election, in Tokyo, on Sept. 4, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
This photo combination shows the candidates of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party for the party's upcoming presidential election. Top row from left, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi. Middle row from left, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Digital Minister Taro Kono, and Liberal Democratic Party’s Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi. Bottom row from left, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi and former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato. Japan will have a new leader after outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party holds a vote on Sept. 27 to choose his replacement. (AP Photo)
Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa speaks during a press conference as she announces his candidacy of the party's presidential election, in Tokyo, on Sept. 11, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba announces his candidacy of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, in Yazu town, Tottori prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 24, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference as she announces her candidacy of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, at the parliament in Tokyo, on Sept. 9, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi speaks during a press conference as he announces his candidacy of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, at the parliament in Tokyo, on Sept. 3, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato speaks during a press conference as he announces his candidacy of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, at the parliament in Tokyo, on Sept. 10, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi speaks during a press conference as he announces his candidacy of the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election, at the parliament in Tokyo, on Aug. 19, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks at a news conference on running in the upcoming leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo, on Sept. 6, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)