Japan could get first woman or youngest-ever PM on Friday
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will hold a leadership vote on Friday, which could result in the country's first female or youngest-ever prime minister. The vote is being described as the most "unpredictable" in years due to a record nine candidates vying for the position. This unusual situation arose after the LDP's long-dominant factions disbanded earlier this year over a funding scandal.
Three frontrunners emerge in LDP leadership race
The winner is certain to become PM because the conservative LDP holds a parliamentary majority and will most likely call a snap election to strengthen their mandate. The three frontrunners in the race are former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba, 43-year-old Shinjiro Koizumi, and nationalist hardliner Sanae Takaichi. If elected, Takaichi would become Japan's first female prime minister.
Candidates' stance on international relations and domestic issues
The winner of this election will be tasked with addressing regional security threats from China and North Korea, as well as revitalizing Japan's economy amid a shift away from decades of monetary easing by the central bank. During the campaign, many candidates positioned themselves as capable of handling international relations, particularly with the United States and China. However, significant differences exist in their approaches to these issues.
Frontrunners' profiles and public perception
Ishiba, 67, previously came close to becoming PM but lost to Shinzo Abe in 2012. Despite his past criticism of LDP policies under Abe's leadership, public discontent with the LDP is now seen as favoring Ishiba's "fair and square" attitude. Takaichi is viewed as the most conservative among the top three candidates. She opposes changing the law to allow separate surnames for married couples and regularly visits Tokyo's Yasukuni war shrine—a contentious point in relations with South Korea and China.
Koizumi: Potential youngest-ever PM faces criticism
Koizumi, if elected, would become Japan's youngest-ever prime minister. But critics, including his own father, former premier Junichiro Koizumi, argue that he lacks the necessary experience to lead the country. With the LDP factions dissolved, it's unlikely that any single candidate will receive enough votes from lawmakers and rank-and-file party members to win outright. The candidate that emerges winner on Friday will be formally elected by parliament on October 1.
