Political situation in Japan

New Japanese candidate opens for meeting with Kim Jong-Un

Japan's former environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi has announced that he is running as a candidate for the country to produce a new prime minister, writes Bloomberg. He has previously been singled out as one of the favorites to succeed outgoing leader Fumio Kishida in the Liberal Democratic Party, LDP, which is the country's largest party.

At a press conference, Koizumi announces that he wants to make "major reforms within a year". Among other things, he wants to introduce financial support packages for people affected by inflation, implement labor reforms - and meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un.

Such a meeting would aim to discuss Japanese citizens previously kidnapped by North Korea.

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Kishida thanks himself with a summit in South Korea

Later in September, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will leave his post. The Japanese leader is traveling to South Korea on Friday for a "farewell summit", writes the AP news agency.

Among other things, he will meet South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to strengthen the ties between the countries, which in recent years have managed to put old conflicts behind them.

- Prime Minister Kishida has put his personal political capital on the line to improve relations with South Korea, says Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha Women's University to the news agency.

Frosty relations between the countries began to thaw in March 2023 when President Yoon made the decision to exempt Japan from paying for forced labor during the early 20th century.