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Sane Takaichi is leading the race for the post of PM. (File photo)
In Japan, PM Shigeru Ishiba resigned from his post on 7 September 2025. Now he has an election for the post of party president on October 4 at the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) party.
The president of the majority party in Japan becomes the PM. In such a situation, whoever wins this election will be made PM after voting in Parliament. There are five candidates in the race to become the post of party president. But the competition is between two candidates.
According to the survey conducted by Kyo News on Sunday, former Economic Security Minister Sane Takaichi is at the forefront with 34.4% of the vote. At number two is Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who has got the support of 29.3% of the people.
If Takaichi wins this election, she will become the first woman Prime Minister of Japan. At the same time, if Koizumi wins elections, he will become the youngest (45 years) PM in the country.
Five contenders who will replace Ishiba …
- Sane Takai- LDP’s right -wing Conservative, close to Abe. Constitution amendment, vocal on national security. Runner-up in 2024 elections. Candidate to become the first woman PM. India considers India to be a special strategic partner. Emphasis on increasing cooperation in quad and Indo-Pacific.
- Shinjiro Koizumi- Son of former PM Junichiro Koizumi. Young, media-friendly, gay marriage, generous on gender equality. In third place in 2024 elections. Possibility of becoming the youngest PM. Consider India as ‘global partners’. Want to increase partnership with India on issues like Tech and Environment.
- Yoshimasa hayas- Experience of working in many cabinet positions. The party has a focus on unity and economic stability. Consider India a strong partner. Want to increase cooperation in free and open Indo-Pacific.
- Toshimitsu Motigi- Economy, business expert. There was a special role in making a tariff compromise with Trump. India’s support for the UNSC reform in G4 (Japan-India-Germany-Brazil). Increased defense, digital and climate cooperation with India as Foreign Minister.
- Takayuki Kobiwi- Harvard Graduate. Experience to work in Finance Ministry. Quad considers India to be important in framework, but clear statements are less. Promotion of partnership in defense and economy.
Voting takes place again when there is no majority
In addition to the party MLAs and MPs, the party members also vote in the election. If in the first round, no one gets 51% of the vote i.e. a clear majority, then there is a second round between two top candidates.
After winning the election of the party president, the winner will be nominated for the PM in Parliament. He will take oath as PM after winning the majority.
Why did PM Shigeru Ishiba resign
Shigeru Ishiba became PM in September 2024. He was ‘outsider’ at the party, that is, he had no godfather. He promised that he would fix inflation and economic problems, but his time was difficult.
1. Blow of election defeat: The LDP-Comeito coalition lost majority in the lower house (House of Representative) election of October 2024. Then there was a bad defeat in the upper Sadan (House of Counselors) elections of July 2025. The party lost a majority in both houses for the first time since 1955.
2. Party pressure: After the defeat, the inner people of the party started pressurizing Ishiba to resign. They allege that Ishiba is ‘very generous’, while the party needs a conservative leader. Ishiba resigned on 7 September 2025. He said- I do not want to split in the party. Now I will give a chance to the new generation.
Why is Shinzo Abe’s party getting weak?
Shinzo Abe was the longest in Japan till the longest (2006-07 and 2012-20). His ‘Abe Nomics’ (economic reform) strengthened the economy of Japan, but resigned in 2020 for health reasons.
He was killed in 2022, which was a major setback for the party. LDP is now weakening, as many scandals of the party are being exposed.
- Funding Scandal (2023-24)- The party’s factions (Facts) transferred millions of yen (Japanese currency) secret account from the Fundrazer Events, which was against the law. 82 MLAs were caught in this case, including many members of the Abe faction. This weakened the public’s trust. After Abe’s murder in 2022, LDP links were also revealed to the Unification Church (a controversial religious group).
- Election failure- LDP lost a bad defeat in the 2024-25 elections. Voters are troubled by inflation, rice price and weak currency. Due to this, young voters are trending towards right-wing parties, raising slogans like Japan First and Anti-Immigration.
- Internal discord After Shinzo Abe, many groups have been formed in the party. Now there is a fight between the Conservative and Reformist (Reformist) groups in the party. Right -wing parties like Sansiteo are breaching in the Conservative vote of LDP. Currently, LDP is running a minority government for the first time. The opposition is getting stronger.
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