Japan LDP mulls leadership race around Sep 15

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a news conference at LDP headquarters in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: REUTERS/Issei Kato. Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.

TOKYO, Aug 29, 2020, Kyodo. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering holding a party leadership race around Sept. 15 to pick a successor to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, senior party lawmakers said Friday (Aug 28), The Mainichi reported.

Abe, who is the LDP president, announced earlier in the day that he will step down due to ill health. His term as LDP leader was due to end in September 2021.