Post by : Raman

Tokyo, Japan – Japan’s long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to elect a new leader on Saturday, with the winner expected to become the nation’s next prime minister. The leadership vote comes at a crucial time for the party, which has lost its majority in both houses of parliament following recent elections. The new leader will face the challenge of restoring political stability, winning back public trust, and addressing pressing economic issues such as rising prices.

Among the five candidates, three are considered front-runners. Sanae Takaichi, 64, could make history as Japan’s first female prime minister. Takaichi is a staunch conservative and a protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She admires former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, holds a tough stance on immigration, and regularly visits Japan’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine, a site often linked to wartime militarism. Her ultra-conservative views, especially toward China and neighboring countries, may pose risks to Japan’s international relations.

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Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, seeks to become Japan’s youngest prime minister in the modern era. As agriculture minister under outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Koizumi promoted reformist policies, such as releasing emergency rice stockpiles to stabilize food prices. He emphasizes rebuilding the party, listening to citizens’ concerns, and addressing rising costs of living, public safety, and the challenges of a growing foreign population.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, 64, currently the chief Cabinet secretary, is a moderate candidate known for pragmatic governance. He advocates steady wage growth, a strong economy, and robust defense policies. Hayashi supports a universal credit system to help low-income families and has a reputation for effective crisis management. He has served in multiple key roles including foreign, defense, and education minister, and promotes cooperation with China.

The remaining candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, 69, a seasoned politician known for his tough trade negotiation skills, and Takayuki Kobayashi, 50, an ultra-conservative former economic security minister who emphasizes strong economic growth, national unity, and stricter policies toward foreigners.

The LDP election will be conducted internally, with 295 party parliamentarians and around one million dues-paying grassroots members casting votes. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a runoff will be held between the top two contenders. Once a party leader is chosen, the lower house of Japan’s parliament will vote to confirm the new prime minister, likely in mid-October.

The new prime minister will face immediate challenges, including the possibility of hosting a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in South Korea at the end of October. They will also need to negotiate with centrist opposition parties, such as the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin) and the Democratic Party for the People, to ensure political stability and support for key policies.

This election is seen as a turning point for the LDP, which has governed Japan for most of the postwar era. Political analysts say the choice between the conservative Takaichi, the reformist Koizumi, and moderate Hayashi represents a critical decision for Japan’s future direction. The winner’s ability to manage domestic issues, maintain international relations, and unify the party will shape the country’s political and economic path in the years ahead.

#world news #Global News