🔗 Share this article Japan's Governing Party Readies to Choose Another Fresh Leadership In a Year The country may shortly witness either its first female or youngest-ever prime minister while the nation's governing faction votes for its second new leader in just over twelve months. Japan's dominant political faction is looking to succeed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned recently after his government failed to maintain control in both houses of parliament. Whoever is elected will face multiple obstacles - including guiding a faction continuing to battle to win back voter trust following significant financial corruption scandals. Furthermore, they'll require to manage the complicated US-Japan relations and executing the tariff deal established by the Ishiba government with the former US leadership. Governing Challenges A planned meeting by Trump to Japan in late October comes as both nations - long-standing partners significant collaborators on economic and defense matters - persist in working out methods to execute the trade agreement. On the home front, the incoming leadership will also have to develop strategies to enhance the flailing economy and confronting growing price increases along with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, in addition to combating a movement in the direction of conservative extremism. Even being named prime minister for whoever wins remains uncertain since the ruling party has lost complete control in parliament. Saturday's vote will be within the LDP's 295 parliamentarians and grassroots party members. Should no candidate secure the required votes during the first round, a runoff will promptly occur between the top two candidates. Frontrunner Candidates Shinjiro Koizumi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Sanae Takaichi compete for leadership Several individuals remain in contention as leading candidates: Shinjiro Koizumi, the chief cabinet secretary, and Sanae Takaichi, who would be the nation's inaugural woman leader should she succeed. The female candidate, 64, has long respected of Margaret Thatcher's leadership. Known as a close ally and follower of the former leader, she represents a staunch traditionalist, is known to oppose same-sex marriage while frequently attending the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. Previously not considered a strong advocate regarding gender equality, but Takaichi's tone evolved in recent times, promising to render childcare costs eligible for tax benefits while suggesting corporate tax breaks to employers offering workplace daycare facilities. The candidate committed to double the size of the economy in a decade through government funding in new technologies, public works, food production along with additional fields of economic security. The younger candidate, 44, follows in the footsteps of Junichiro Koizumi, the former leader during the early 2000s. Considered the new generation representative within the established party, the candidate engages well with press and popular on social media, where he is known for sharing feline images. His popularity has soared lately as agriculture minister after reducing costs of rice down and being praised by veteran LDP colleagues for his leadership regarding agricultural matters. Similar to competitors, the minister promised to trim taxes assisting families cope with rising living costs. Another leading candidate the chief cabinet secretary, serving as the government's top spokesperson. Observers say he represents not so flamboyant, but experienced and tested. Many of Hayashi's supporters hail from a faction previously headed by the ex-leader. Other names that have been floated include the ex-diplomatic chief Toshimitsu Motegi and former economic security minister from the party ranks. Governing Party Challenges The leadership battle follows a bruising few years for the ruling faction including a "cascade" of scandals, public disengagement historically poor polling numbers. In 2024, the incoming leader announced a snap election during autumn, saying it was crucial for fresh leadership to be judged by the people promptly. It was a political gamble that backfired. Voters - still furious over the corruption scandal and struggling to deal with rising inflation economic pressures - delivered poor performance in a decade. Since over a decade ago, the LDP - governing the nation almost continuously for decades - lost its parliamentary majority. Then this year, control diminished during senate voting. The leader initially declined requests for resignation at first, saying he needed to accept accountability for the LDP's losses and to deal with international agreements. However recently - before party elections that would've likely voted him out - he bowed out, stepping down preparing for today's vote.