The departure of Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshimasa Hayashi due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet reshuffle is attracting attention, and the focus is on the impact on the presidential election next fall.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is considering reshuffling the Cabinet and reshuffling Liberal Democratic Party executives as early as the 16th to 18th, and the departure of Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshimasa Hayashi is attracting attention. This is because Mr. Hayashi has been actively traveling around the region, and there is no doubt that he is considering running for the party presidential election next fall. There is a view that it will be difficult for him to run if he remains in the cabinet, and the focus will be on the decisions of the prime minister and Hayashi.

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Mr. Hayashi gave a lecture on the 5th at a seminar held by the party's Kagoshima Prefectural Federation in Kagoshima City. Explaining the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' regional revitalization efforts, he emphasized, ``I will do my best to revitalize Japan from the region.''

Since assuming the position of Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications in October last year, Hayashi has made 25 visits to local areas on official business. They visited 24 prefectures, and are scheduled to visit Akita Prefecture on the 7th. In addition to the inspection, he also held an exchange of opinions with local politicians, and within the party it is viewed exclusively as an election campaign aimed at gaining votes from party members in the presidential election.

During last year's presidential election, Hayashi received 72 parliamentary votes in the first round, more than the prime minister. The reason he finished in third place and was unable to advance to the final election was because he received only half the votes of party members as the prime minister. Mr. Hayashi is believed to have calculated that if he increases the number of party members' votes by visiting rural areas, he will be able to gain a competitive advantage.

Mr. Hayashi is also active in building relationships with members of the Diet. A source from the former Kishida faction, who once served as chairman, testified that ``Mr. Hayashi has been having regular dinners with him.'' This appears to be due to some of the former Kishida factions supporting other candidates in the last presidential election. In June, he had dinner with former Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Ryota Takeda, who leads a group centered on the former Nikai faction.

Hayashi's moves pose a ``threat'' to the prime minister, who is seeking re-election in next fall's presidential election. Mr. Hayashi is said to be at odds with the prime minister on policy issues such as the consumption tax cut, but those around the prime minister have made it clear that ``it is natural for Mr. Hayashi to make efforts to have him remain in a key position.'' "The final step will be a direct discussion between the prime minister and Mr. Hayashi," he said.

When Hayashi is approached by the prime minister for a key position, he must decide whether to respond and show his support for the administration, or decline and distance himself from the prime minister. One person close to him says, ``He should take on important positions and make his presence known,'' but a senior member of the party is also saying, ``It would be best for him to travel around local areas in a free position.'' ``Regardless of the post, Mr. Hayashi's determination to run remains unchanged,'' said a former cabinet minister.