Candidates for the upcoming leadership race of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) walk hand in hand after delivering speeches for the LDP presidential election in Osaka, Japan, September 18, 2024.
STER | AFP | Getty Images
Japan's ruling party election has entered a runoff between Economic Security Minister Takaichi Sanae and former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba to decide the country's next leader.
Two candidates received the most votes in early Friday polls but failed to win a simple majority among the crowded electorate. The race, which has a record nine candidates, will now either produce Japan's first female prime minister or end up with a seasoned politician taking the position.
Outgoing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida left the LDP in limbo when he announced in August that he would not run for the top job, effectively ending his three-year term.
LDP poll winner expected to be confirmed as prime minister Parliamentary vote on October 1 and will inherit a corruption scandal and economies in transition. The party holds a majority in both houses of Congress, effectively ensuring that its president becomes the next prime minister.
polls show favorite The election includes former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi as well as Takaichi and Ishiba. However, the politician running to become Japan's youngest-ever prime minister failed to secure enough votes to advance to the next round.
Shigeru Ishiba, 67, is running for the position for a fifth time; Support the Bank of Japan’s policies steadily raised interest rates and expressed concerns about the depreciation of the yen. He also called for the establishment of a asian nato to contain threats from China and North Korea.
Takaichi, 63, one of two women in the race, believes Japan's economy needs More fiscal stimulus and strengthening areas including foreign affairs and defence. Unlike Shi Po, she has Warning to the Bank of Japan further increase interest rates.
Japan's new leader must lead the country through unstable economic and political times.
Challenges facing the country include a transition out of three decades of stagnation, growing diplomatic and security challenges posed by China and the potential re-election of Trump in the United States, and a demographic crisis brought on by a rapidly aging country.