Quotes
They must distinguish between private and public funds and be transparent about how the money was used and where it went,
said Tomoe Minami, 69, of Tomakomai in Hokkaido, northern Japan All political funds, even small amounts, should be made visible, and a system should be created to prevent any suspicion from arising,
said Chieko Sasaki, 78, of Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture Even just talking of price hikes, conditions vary between the city and regional areas,
Miyako Shibamura, a 36-year-old resident of Takamatsu in western Japan's Kagawa Prefecture, said Ishiba's win would give the BOJ a freer hand as Ishiba, who doesn't appear to have a very strong view on monetary policy, will likely respect the central bank's decisions,
said Kazutaka Maeda, an economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute With today's result, the influence of Abenomics will essentially disappear,
Maeda said, predicting the next interest rate hike would come as early as December Unless consumption increases, the economy won't do well,
he said, promising to accelerate Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's policies aimed at boosting household income through wage hikes Japan's gross domestic product has been flat in the past two decades,
with wage growth yet to exceed inflation ... Ishiba told a news conference after winning Friday's ruling party's leadership race, which de-facto makes him next prime minister due to the party's dominance in parliament In terms of economic policy, Japan is bidding farewell to Abenomics,
People are tired of the LDP,
Mieko Nakabayashi, former opposition MP and political science professor at Tokyo’s Waseda University, told the BBC In the upcoming presidential election, it's necessary to show the people that the Liberal Democratic Party will change,
Kishida said at a press conference last month, when announcing his decision not to run for another term I will do my utmost to believe in the people, to speak the truth with courage and sincerity, and to make this country a safe and secure place where everyone can live with a smile again,
Ishiba said in a short speech after his victory We must ask the new LDP president, Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, to create a strong cabinet with his executive power, decisiveness, and ability to create policies, and produce results."
According to Nikkei Asia, Kishida said The fact that he is something of a maverick, considered as change agent, who has promised to change the party, that may well resonate with a cynical Japanese public,
This is a remarkable victory for Ishiba, who is considered as a veteran of the LDP,
said Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Tokyo He is seen as a defence expert. He has proposed the establishment of an Asian-style NATO. And he is likely to continue with more assertive Japan in the international stage,
said Al Jazeera’s McBride She’s a fairly renowned, right-wing and hawkish figure, She would have made history not only in the LDP, but also Japan as [the country’s] first woman prime minister,
said McBride, reporting from outside parliament I have undoubtedly hurt many people's feelings, caused unpleasant experiences, and made many suffer. I sincerely apologise for all of my shortcomings,
he said in an address to LDP lawmakers who gathered at party headquarters for the election Politicians don't need to be best friends, as long as their policies and political positions match,
Ishiba said in a video posted on YouTube this week I consider this my final battle,
Ishiba said last month when he launched his campaign at a Shinto shrine in rural Tottori prefecture, where his father was governor and where Ishiba began his political career at the height of Japan's fast growing bubble economy This is the most unpredictable that an LDP election has been in many years,
Jeffrey J. Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, told Agence France-Presse