The youngest candidate in the crowded election for Japan's party leadership could potentially become the country's next prime minister.

• This week, Junichiro Koizumi's 43-year-old son, Shinjiro Koizumi, will become the youngest candidate when he formally announces his candidacy.
• He has been in the news for surfing near Fukushima to address water safety issues following the release of treated wastewater, as well as being the first Japanese cabinet minister to take paternity leave.
• Some analysts questioned whether the new party leader, who is viewed as a fresh face amidst a scandal-ridden party, has enough experience to become Japan's next prime minister.

In September, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party will choose a new leader, who will also become the country's next prime minister.

The LDP's leadership has attempted to eliminate factional politics, resulting in an unusually competitive and unpredictable race with almost a dozen candidates. Despite these efforts, faction-based ties still seem to remain strong within the party.

On Sept. 6, Shinjiro Koizumi will hold a press conference to announce his candidacy.

The 43-year-old son of former premier Junichiro Koizumi and 49-year-old Takayuki Kobayashi are expected to be the youngest candidates in the contest. They are viewed as the choices for generational change in the party election.

Renewable energy advocate Koizumi, a former environment minister, has surfed near Fukushima to address water safety concerns and was the first sitting cabinet minister in Japan to take paternity leave.

According to Rintaro Nishimura, an analyst for The Asia Group based in Japan, Koizumi is currently the closest contender to becoming a frontrunner in the upcoming election.

He is an attractive candidate due to his father's legacy as a popular reformist populist LDP president/prime minister, his perceived fresh-facedness and scandal-free image, particularly in the current climate, versus other candidates.

Koizumi has a high chance of winning support from both LDP Diet members and ordinary Japanese voters.

If no candidate obtains a clear majority in the LDP election, the top two candidates will face off in a runoff.

Nishimura stated that many LDP Diet members are concerned about their survival in the upcoming general election, particularly the younger members who have served fewer terms.

"This time around, the safe option may not be the best choice, as the focus is on which candidate can win a general election. Since popularity is a key factor in winning an election, Koizumi, being a popular candidate, is likely to be one of the favorites."

Koizumi has gained significant popularity among the public, with a poll conducted by Asahi Shimbun revealing that he tied with Shigeru Ishiba in national popularity with 21% each. However, Koizumi received the most support among LDP supporters, with 28% compared to Ishiba's 23%.

But there are questions around Koizumi's level of experience and policy outlook.

Japan Foresight founder Tobias Harris stated in a recent online post that Koizumi has the greatest potential to transform the race fundamentally, but his resume is thin as he has not held a top party leadership position or a top cabinet posting.

Harris wrote that although he is an effective campaigner and has worked on various issues, his limited foreign policy experience could be a weakness in an LDP leadership election already impacted by the U.S. presidential election and the possibility of a second Trump administration.

There is also little known about his economic policies.

As far as I can tell, Koizumi has not commented on BOJ policy normalization, according to Harris' statement on CNBC.

"We can infer that he is concerned about fiscal policy and deficits, has ties with Shigeru Ishiba and others who were critical of Abenomics, but we cannot be certain. In general, the party is leaning towards normalization, except for the right wing."

According to Japan strategist Nicholas Smith from CLSA, it is premature for Koizumi to assume the leadership position.

"Experience is key. He has been elected five times. That's the minimum standard," he stated.

"Although he has held a minor cabinet post in charge of nuclear power safety, it is not a senior position. People will argue that you cannot be prime minister unless you have experience in other roles."

The LDP election will be held on Sept. 27.