Kishida's successor as Japanese PM: Faces to watch

They include current, former ministers popular with the public

- Walter Sim

The race is on to succeed Mr Fumio Kishida as leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and, hence, as the country's prime minister, following his announcement on Aug 14 that he will not contest in scheduled party polls in September.

The key contest is for party president, with the vote likely to take place in the latter half of September.

As the LDP is Japan's ruling party, its president is by default the Japanese prime minister.

First off the blocks is former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, 67, who declared his intention to run if he secures the requisite endorsement from 20 lawmakers to qualify as a candidate.

Mr Ishiba, who is among six lawmakers on a multi-party visit to Taiwan, told reporters in Taipei that he wanted to "fulfil his responsibilities if the circumstances are right".