Campaigning for the Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race officially kicked off Sept. 18, with three candidates vying for the task of rebuilding the party and returning it to power.

(From left) Yasutoshi Nishimura, Taro Kono and Sadakazu Tanigaki — the three candidates running for Liberal Democratic Party president — shake hands after a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Sept. 19. KYODO PHOTO

The three candidates, who come from different factions in the LDP, represent what is shaping up to be a generational battle of sorts. Ex-Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, 64, is in the running, as is former Vice Justice Minister Taro Kono, 46, and Yasutoshi Nishimura, 46, a relative newcomer who just won his third term. The LDP is set to vote for its new president Sept. 28.

Tanigaki, a 10-term veteran, was the first to throw his hat in the ring, and is steadily gathering support from other veteran and midlevel lawmakers. "We saw the worst defeat in our party's history (but) I strongly believe that we still have things we need to accomplish for the people," Tanigaki said.

Some party members have suggested Tanigaki may represent too much of the "old" LDP, but Tanigaki has stressed that he would line up the "best members" to change it.

Kono, the son of former House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono, strongly called for a "generational change" in party leadership. The outspoken lawmaker has raised concern among party members for his "very extreme" words and actions, a veteran LDP member said.

Nishimura, a member of the largest faction led by former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura, admits he is the least known of the three. He said that the LDP took a step toward change by allowing an unknown lawmaker such as himself to run in the presidential election.