Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he will back Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi if she runs for re-election in next autumn's Liberal Democratic Party leadership race, and will not stand himself, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.
Koizumi spoke on an internet program on the 10th. He lost to Takaichi in the runoff of the 2025 leadership race.
He said he would support her "with all my strength" should she seek another term as party leader.
Koizumi pointed to the revision of the three security-related documents, including the National Security Strategy, that is scheduled for the end of the year.
“I am not thinking at all about next year or anything like that. I will do the role I have been given under Prime Minister Takaichi with all my strength.”Shinjiro Koizumi, defense minister
A mandate from February's election
On February's general election, Koizumi said the public chose a Takaichi-led LDP. He called the result not a close contest but a historic landslide.
“Having been given that much of the public will, it is normally unthinkable to be talking about next year or whatever.”Shinjiro Koizumi, defense minister
He also said continuity in foreign and security policy should be guaranteed.