From COVID to China's rise, Japan needs more than a new leader

4-way ruling party race puts focus on crisis management

20210917 LDP Japan Presidential Election 3

From left to right, administrative reform minister Taro Kono, former LDP policy research chief Fumio Kishida, and former interior ministers Sanae Takaichi and Seiko Noda are running to become the next president of the ruling party. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)

NAOYA YOSHINO, Nikkei political editor

September 18, 2021 05:02 JST

TOKYO -- The celebratory mood surrounding the Liberal Democratic Party presidential race stands in stark contrast to the gloom among the public facing pandemic-related restrictions.

The four-way race to choose Japan's next leader officially kicked off Friday. But the disconnect between LDP lawmakers and the public points to the cold truth that having a fresh face to lead the LDP alone will not help the nation overcome its myriad challenges, starting with the pandemic.