Tokyo, Japan — Former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi has been elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after defeating Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a closely watched runoff on Saturday. Her victory all but guarantees she will become Japan’s next prime minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, who announced his resignation last month.
In the first round of voting, LDP lawmakers cast 295 ballots, matched by another 295 from rank-and-file members. Takaichi took an early lead with 183 votes, followed by Koizumi with 164. The two advanced to a runoff, where only lawmakers and the 47 prefectural chapters of the party participated. Takaichi secured 185 votes, defeating Koizumi, who received 156.
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Among the five contenders, Takaichi, Koizumi, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi were considered the frontrunners. The other candidates were former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi and former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
The 64-year-old Takaichi will become Japan’s first female prime minister, a historic milestone for a country that has never had a woman lead its government. Her three-year term as LDP president will run until 2027.
The leadership transition comes after the LDP’s coalition with its junior partner, the Komeito party, lost its majority in both houses of parliament earlier this year. Despite these setbacks, the ruling bloc still holds the largest number of seats, ensuring Takaichi’s swift confirmation as prime minister later this month.
Takaichi is widely regarded as a staunch conservative, advocating for stronger national defense, constitutional revision, and cautious engagement with China and North Korea. She has also emphasized economic resilience and supply-chain security, particularly in strategic sectors such as semiconductors and energy.
Koizumi, 44, son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, enjoyed strong support among younger lawmakers and reform-minded members of the party. He was seen as a modernizing force who could appeal to younger voters and urban constituencies.
In contrast, Takaichi drew her strength from the party’s conservative base and regional networks. Her election reflects the LDP’s continued preference for stability and traditional values amid global uncertainty and domestic challenges.
Outgoing Prime Minister Ishiba, who took office just last year, stepped down following his party’s poor performance in the upper house elections in July and the lower house vote in October 2024. His early resignation brought forward the leadership race originally slated for 2027.
Takaichi’s immediate challenges as Japan’s next leader will include addressing slowing economic growth, rising defense costs, and public concerns over political transparency. Internationally, she will be tasked with maintaining Japan’s strong alliance with the United States while navigating increasingly complex relations with China, South Korea, and Russia.
Her election marks the beginning of a new chapter in Japanese politics — one that could redefine both the nation’s leadership image and its policy direction in the years ahead.
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