Japan PM contender Kishida aims to boost security, with China in mind

Taro Kono, Japan’s vaccination chief and lawmaker for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), attends a press conference as he announces his candidacy for the party’s presidential election in Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 10, 2021. REUTERS / Issei Kato

TOKYO, Sept. 13 (Reuters) – Japan needs to keep its coast guard working smoothly with the self-defense forces amid the assertiveness of giant neighbor China, Fumio Kishida, a candidate for the ruling party, to become the next prime minister, said Monday.

Only lawmakers and grassroots members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will vote for its chairman in an election on September 29, but the candidates’ popularity with the public counts as the winner will lead them to parliamentary elections this year.

“The security environment in Japan is getting tougher,” said Kishida at a press conference.

“We must work to ensure maritime safety, for example by strengthening the coastguard’s capabilities and allowing them to work with the self-defense forces.”

Acquiring the ability to hit enemy targets is an option, Kishida said, adding that he will not blindly adhere to keeping defense spending below 1% of Japan’s gross domestic product if necessary to protect citizens.

The remarks follow a surprise announcement by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga earlier this month that he would resign and end a year-long term in which his support crumbled with the surge in coronavirus infections.

The dominant position of the LDP in the lower house ensures its chairman the post of prime minister.

Kishida stressed the importance of protecting human rights, democracy and freedom, adding that if elected, he would appoint an advisor to the prime minister to oversee China’s treatment of the Uyghur ethnic minority.

“By working with countries with which Japan shares universal values, I would raise the torch of freedom and democracy,” said the former foreign minister.

In opinion polls over the weekend for the election of Suga’s successor as head of the ruling party, the minister responsible for vaccines, Taro Kono, emerged as the preferred candidate.

He was voted for by 33% of respondents in a weekend poll conducted by the daily Asahi, followed by 16% for former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and 14% for Kishida.

The poll also showed that 58% of respondents felt that the next LDP leader shouldn’t adopt the policies of Suga and Shinzo Abe who preceded Suga.

A similar poll by business newspaper Nikkei also put Kono at the top, supported by 27% of respondents, with 17% for Ishiba and 14% for Kishida.

Kono and Kishida have announced their candidacy for top party post, while Ishiba has not disclosed his intention.

Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Clarence Fernandez

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