Japan’s political scene is heating up as former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi throws her hat into the ring for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This move completes the lineup of top contenders vying to replace outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, according to reports from Kyodo News.
Takaichi, who also served as Minister of State for Economic Security, shared her big announcement during a meeting with influential party veteran and former Prime Minister Taro Aso. At 64, the staunch conservative—often seen as a close ally of the late Shinzo Abe—has her sights set on becoming Japan’s first female prime minister. She’s one of the frontrunners in the race set for October 4.
She’ll face stiff competition from heavyweights like Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, son of ex-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi; Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi; former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi; and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi. Takaichi told reporters, “What we need now is politics that turns our anxieties about life and the future into hope.” She plans to reveal her full policy platform at a press conference on Friday.
The LDP leadership vote was originally slated for 2027, at the end of Ishiba’s term. But things changed fast after Ishiba stepped down earlier this month, taking the blame for his coalition’s loss in the July 20 House of Councillors election. The LDP and partner Komeito had already lost their majority in the more powerful House of Representatives during a general election right after Ishiba took office in October 2024.
Now leading a minority government, the LDP relies on opposition support to get laws passed. The leadership winner won’t automatically become prime minister—they’ll need a majority vote in Parliament to seal the deal.
Polls are buzzing with excitement. A recent Kyodo News survey showed Takaichi leading the pack nationwide, with 28% of respondents picking her as the best LDP leader, ahead of Koizumi’s 22.5%. Among LDP supporters, though, Koizumi edges out with 36%, followed by Takaichi at 15.7% and Hayashi at 14.9%.
The official candidate list gets finalized on September 22, kicking off the official campaign. If Takaichi pulls off a win and secures that parliamentary vote, she’ll make history as Japan’s first woman prime minister. Stay tuned as this LDP leadership race unfolds!
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