Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Leadership Race Intensifies with Takaichi and Koizumi Bids

Sanae Takaichi, a former economic security minister and conservative politician, has officially announced her candidacy for the leadership of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), aiming to become the country's first female prime minister. She emphasized the need for politics that transform public anxieties into hope, proposing policies like a combined tax credit with cash benefits and cutting-edge technology investments. Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who has also declared his candidacy and is supported by former Foreign Minister Taro Kono, is considered a leading contender, often polling slightly ahead of Takaichi. The leadership election, initially scheduled for 2027, was moved up following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's resignation after his coalition's defeat in the July upper house election. Other candidates include Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi. The winner will succeed Ishiba as LDP leader and effectively become Japan's prime minister.