Shinjiro Koizumi, chief deputy secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, is seen as best suited to be the next party president, according to a nationwide survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun last weekend.
Koizumi was chosen by 29 percent of respondents, followed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at 26 percent and former Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba at 22 percent.
Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiko Noda was selected by 4 percent, while Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Kishida and Foreign Minister Taro Kono each received 3 percent.
Among LDP supporters, Abe was the top pick with 49 percent, far outpacing Koizumi's 25 percent and Ishiba's 15 percent. Kishida was supported by 4 percent, followed by Kono at 3 percent and Noda at 2 percent.
Since Feburary, The Yomiuri Shimbun has asked respondents who among Abe, Ishiba, Kishida, Noda, Kono and Koizumi is best suited to be LDP president.
Abe has consistently ranked top among LDP supporters, leading with 57 percent in the February survey. His support steadily declined thereafter, reaching a low of 46 percent in May before rebounding to 49 percent in June and July.
In the latest survey, 61 percent of respondents who back the LDP said they were not satisfied with Abe's explanations of scandals involving school operators Kake Educational Institution and Moritomo Gakuen. This harsh appraisal has apparently influenced sentiment toward the LDP presidential race, with Koizumi absorbing support from the prime minister.
The percentage of those who favor Koizumi in the latest survey is eight points higher than the 17 percent who backed him in February. Support for Ishiba and others who have expressed interest in running has generally not changed.
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