In a pivotal moment for Japan’s political stability, lawmakers and rank-and-file members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are convening today for the second leadership election in just over a year. The vote aims to select a replacement for outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned last month amid electoral defeats, soaring living costs, and party infighting—triggering the coalition’s loss of parliamentary majority in July.
The three leading contenders are Sanae Takaichi, an arch conservative, Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and Yoshimasa Hayashi, the current chief cabinet secretary. Also in the race are Takayuki Kobayashi and veteran lawmaker Toshimitsu Motegi.
