Japan's main governing Liberal Democratic Party may decide in early September whether to hold an extraordinary leadership race.



The LDP held a meeting of its presidential election committee on Wednesday to start the decision-making process.



The support of a combined majority of the party's 295 lawmakers and 47 prefectural chapters is needed for an extraordinary leadership race to be held.



Lawmakers seeking to move up the election will be required to personally submit a document with their signature and seal. The committee has decided to make their names public.



The prefectural chapters will notify party headquarters after they make their decisions.



The LDP's official decision-making body, the Joint Plenary Meeting of Party Members of Both Houses of the Diet, is set to meet on September 2. If a review of the recent Upper House election is finalized on that day, lawmakers are expected to submit their requests on September 8 for a leadership election.



The tally count, including prefectural chapters, will be conducted on the same day. An extraordinary presidential election will be held if 172 or more are in favor of an early leadership race.



The chairperson of the presidential election committee, Aisawa Ichiro, said the members decided to release the names because they thought this would improve public trust in the party.



Some mid-ranking lawmakers, who are critical of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru staying in his post, confirmed they would act to secure a majority for an extraordinary leadership election.



Meanwhile, polls show there is a growing proportion of people who think Ishiba does not need to resign.



Some observers say that releasing the names of lawmakers seeking to move up the presidential election will likely affect the decisions of those who are still undecided.
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Quiz 1:
Who decides whether to hold an extraordinary leadership race in Japan's Liberal Democratic Party?
A. The Joint Plenary Meeting of Party Members of Both Houses of the Diet
B. The presidential election committee
C. The combined majority of lawmakers and prefectural chapters
D. The chairperson of the presidential election committee

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
What is the requirement for a mid-ranking lawmaker seeking to move up the election in Japan's Liberal Democratic Party?
A. A document with their signature and seal
B. A majority of the party's prefectural chapters
C. The approval of the prime minister
D. A review of the recent Upper House election

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 2: A

Quiz 3:
How many votes are required for an extraordinary presidential election in Japan's Liberal Democratic Party?
A. 172 or more
B. A simple majority of lawmakers and prefectural chapters
C. More than half of the party members
D. The majority of the Joint Plenary Meeting of Party Members of Both Houses of the Diet

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 3: A