This combined photo shows Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, left, and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday told Toshihiro Nikai, the No. 2 leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, he has nothing against holding the party's presidential election once its schedule is set, a source familiar with their meeting said.

       Suga's term as LDP president is set to expire on Sept. 30, and the party is slated to decide on the schedule for its leadership race on Thursday. The party plans to hold the election on Sept. 29, with campaigning starting on Sept. 17, party sources have said.

       In the 30-minute meeting, Suga, who doubles as the party chief, and Nikai also discussed the coronavirus response and were widely believed to have talked about strategies for a party leadership race and a general election in the coming months amid the recent resurgence of the novel coronavirus.

       "As the coronavirus continues to spread, it is extremely important to secure hospital beds. We talked about the government and the party working together in efforts to secure beds," Suga told reporters after the meeting.

       The meeting came a day after Nikai told a press conference that he supports the re-election of Suga as LDP president despite low public support for his government reflecting dissatisfaction with its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

       On Tuesday, LDP Diet affairs chief Hiroshi Moriyama also voiced support for Suga.

       Suga has said he will run in the LDP's leadership race for another term. Being re-elected the ruling party chief would likely ensure he remains prime minister.

       Unlike last year's LDP presidential election that was held among party lawmakers and prefectural associations only following the abrupt resignation of Suga's predecessor Shinzo Abe due to health reasons, the next election will be held with LDP members and allies including nonpoliticians also casting ballots.

       A general election is also looming as the term of House of Representatives members will run out on Oct. 21. The premier has the power to dissolve the lower house for a snap election.

       Three scenarios of dissolution are being floated so far -- mid-September before the LDP presidential election, late September after Suga is re-elected in the party race unchallenged and early October after the leadership race.

       So far, Sanae Takaichi, known as a conservative member of the LDP who is close to Abe, and LDP policy chief Hakubun Shimomura have expressed their willingness to run in the party presidential election.

       There is also the possibility of the prime minister not dissolving the lower chamber until the expiration of the lower house members' term that will prompt a general election within 40 days, meaning the election will be held on Nov. 28 at the latest.

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