With the COVID-19 pandemic over, nationwide stump speeches are expected to return for next month's leadership election for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, though under tight security following a string of events such as the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Seeing its fortunes decline due to a slush fund scandal, the LDP hopes to achieve a turnaround by attracting public attention to the Sept. 27 party election amid speculation that the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the parliament, may be dissolved for a general election this autumn.
The official campaign period for the September election to pick a successor to outgoing LDP President Fumio Kishida, who is also set to resign as prime minister, is scheduled to begin on Sept. 12.
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