TOKYO—Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced on Aug. 26 his candidacy for a ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election that he is expected to win despite flat ratings and low expectations for his economic policies.
The expected victory over ex-defense minister Shigeru Ishiba in the Sept. 20 party poll would put him on track to become Japan’s longest-serving premier. The winner becomes prime minister due to the LDP-led coalition’s grip on parliament.
