LDP leadership candidates at odds over how to tackle China threat

The five contenders in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race on Wednesday were at odds over how to tackle security threats from China, with one saying Japan should implement an anti-espionage law as a deterrence. But the candidates, all vying to become the next prime minister, shared a strong sense of crisis over Japan’s deteriorating security environment, citing the challenges posed by China, Russia and North Korea. At a joint press conference, most of them emphasized the necessity of dialogue with China, while voicing eagerness to strengthen ties with like-minded countries such as Japan’s close security ally, the United…