FILE - Candidates for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) presidential election pose for a photo before a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, on Sept. 14, 2024. From left are Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, Digital Minister Taro Kono, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Toshimitsu Motegi. (Takashi Aoyama/Pool Photo via AP, File)