Japan's Political Crossroads: Why the Liberal Democratic Party's Decades-Long Dominance is Crumbling

Oct 02, 2025 02:59 pm CST

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party faces an existential crisis ahead of its October 4 leadership election as rural support erodes, economic challenges mount, and populist rivals gain ground. With the party now operating as a minority government for the first time in decades, the next leader must navigate political fragmentation while addressing voter frustrations over rising costs, agricultural policy, and immigration—potentially reshaping Japan's domestic and international trajectory.