Japan to Elect New Prime Minister October 1

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to formally elect a new prime minister on October 1, following an internal leadership vote on September 27 to replace outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The frontrunners for the position are Sanae Takaichi, Shigeru Ishiba, and Shinjiro Koizumi, with Takaichi potentially becoming Japan's first female prime minister if elected. Kishida's resignation comes after a tumultuous term marked by scandals and public dissatisfaction over rising prices. The LDP, which has maintained a stronghold in Japanese politics, will ensure that the winner of its leadership election is virtually guaranteed the premiership. Additionally, there are discussions about the new leader potentially calling for a snap election soon after taking office. The new prime minister will also need to navigate the expectations of opposition parties regarding parliamentary processes and possible future elections.