key takeaways
- At least ten Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers have expressed some interest in running, pointing to a large and divided field.
- Kobayashi Takayuki became the first formal candidate on 19 August; others are expected in the next week.
- With no presumptive favorite, the campaign could go different directions, but the likeliest outcome is a war of attrition as candidates battle to finish among the top two and make the runoff.