The nine contenders running for leadership of Japan’s main ruling Liberal Democratic Party have pitched their policies at a hustings meeting in Okinawa Prefecture.
The race will decide the successor to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio who announced last month he will not be running for the LDP leadership again. Vote counting will take place on September 27 and the winner is expected to become the country’s next prime minister.
The candidates addressed issues such as Okinawa’s burden of hosting US military bases in Naha City on Tuesday. About 70 percent of US military facilities in Japan are concentrated in Okinawa.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said the land taken up by the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, which sits in the center of a city, should be returned as soon as possible.
He said he intends to successfully complete what the Cabinets of Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide and Kishida Fumio have worked hard to achieve.
He added he will accelerate efforts to realize the long-awaited wishes of the people of Okinawa if he becomes prime minister.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko said she has worked harder than anyone else on the issue of sex crimes and sexual violence and has listened to the voices of victims.
She stressed she will engage in negotiations with US military authorities to prevent such incidents involving American troops stationed in Okinawa happening again.
Former LDP Secretary-General Ishiba Shigeru said he would start the review of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement. He said although he is well aware of how difficult the task is, the agreement needs more than improvements in the way it is applied.
He went on to say that US bases in Japan should be jointly managed by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the US military. He said this means Japan taking greater responsibility for Japan, but it should do so as a sovereign nation.
The current Secretary-General Motegi Toshimitsu said he wants to hold talks on the base issue as soon as a new US president is decided.
He said he will proceed with the return of US military facilities and areas one by one, and will promote the utilization of the returned sites.
Motegi described the issue as complex, but said former President Donald Trump called him a “tough negotiator” and he is confident he can follow through.
Candidates also touched on bolstering Japan’s defense capabilities in its southwestern islands, including responses to China’s increasing maritime activity around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
Japan controls the islands. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan’s territory. China and Taiwan claim them.
Digital Transformation Minister Kono Taro said China’s People’s Liberation Army has built up its strength to the same level as the US military, and that the Chinese Coast Guard is operating around the Senkakus on an almost daily basis.
He said thorough discussions are needed on how Japan’s Self Defense Forces and the US military can defend the nation, Okinawa and the Senkaku Islands.
Regarding measures for promoting industries in Okinawa, Economic Security Minister Takaichi Sanae said she has worked on initiatives to help the IT industry take root in Okinawa.
She said the prefecture is strong in IT and tourism, and many sectors are developing well. Takaichi stressed she wants to boost Okinawa’s economy, and make all of Japan strong and affluent.
Former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki said he will closely work with Okinawa Prefecture and municipalities to create an industry cluster and job opportunities if he becomes prime minister.
He suggested promoting the aerospace industry, data industry and smart farming in Okinawa. He added that the central government would make a bold regional investment under his leadership.
Former Environment Minister Koizumi Shinjiro said he will revitalize Okinawa by creating new industries. He said he will set up an educational institution to train specialists so that workers in the tourism and service industries will earn higher incomes.
He highlighted the need to develop “two-way” industries that are not solely dependent on tourism and pay the next generation well.
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said he will strive to double the incomes of people in Okinawa. He noted that Okinawa’s economy has a high degree of dependence on the central government spending.
He said he will increase Okinawa-related budgets to provide leverage for expanding the regional economy and raising the incomes of local people.