As Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party begins the process of selecting a new leader – and by extension, the country’s next prime minister – the race is quickly shaping into a duel between a conservative heir to Shinzo Abe’s legacy and a reformist standard-bearer promising broader appeal within the divided party.
The party’s internal election on October 4 follows Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation after barely a year in office, with the winner expected to assume leadership through a parliamentary vote.
Whoever takes the helm will face a daunting set of challenges – from stubborn inflation and a volatile regional security environment to managing ties with US President Donald Trump.
The five contenders are Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi; former economic security ministers Sanae Takaichi and Takayuki Kobayashi; Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi; and former LDP secretary general Toshimitsu Motegi.
But early polls suggest a two-horse race. Koizumi leads with 23.8 per cent support, followed closely by Takaichi at 21 per cent, according to recent surveys. The remaining candidates trail in the single digits.
