Japan's Leadership Race: 5 Candidates Vie to Become Next Prime Minister as LDP Faces Political Challenges

Oct 03, 2025 02:48 pm CST

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party is selecting a new leader who will likely become the next Prime Minister, with three frontrunners emerging: Sanae Takaichi who could become Japan's first female leader, Shinjiro Koizumi, son of a former premier, and veteran moderate Yoshimasa Hayashi. The winner faces immediate challenges including inflation, potential meetings with US President Trump, and the necessity to form alliances with opposition parties after recent electoral setbacks cost the ruling coalition its parliamentary majority.