Shinjiro Koizumi, former Japanese Environment Minister, has announced his candidacy for the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election on September 27, pledging to call for a snap election to address the party's slush fund scandal. He aims to enhance transparency in political funding by abolishing policy activity funds and ensuring accountability among party members implicated in the scandal. Koizumi, who intends to uphold the current economic policies of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, plans to introduce an economic package to assist small businesses and low-income households facing rising living costs. He has emphasized the need for labor market reforms and expressed a desire for significant changes within a year of taking office. Polls indicate Koizumi is a leading contender for the LDP leadership, alongside former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba. His candidacy is seen as an opportunity for the party to rejuvenate its image following recent controversies.