Tokyo: Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) leadership race concluded with former Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi emerging victorious in both the first round and a subsequent run-off.
According to Anadolu Agency, Takaichi's competition included Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, whom she faced in the second round, as well as Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi. Takaichi secured 185 votes, while Koizumi garnered 156. In the run-off, the candidates competed for a majority of 341 votes, with 294 votes coming from lawmakers.
Several ambassadors to Japan, including those from the UK, the US, and Israel, extended their congratulations to Takaichi. Taiwan's top diplomat, Lin Chia-lung, expressed gratitude for Takaichi's longstanding friendship and support, expressing hope for strengthened Taiwan-Japan relations.
The leadership vote, originally scheduled for 2027, was moved up after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation on September 7, following the coalition's defeat in the July upper house elections. The new president of the party stands a strong chance of becoming Japan's next prime minister, although the LDP-led coalition does not hold a parliamentary majority. If Takaichi assumes the position, she will be the first woman to serve as Japan's prime minister and lead the ruling LDP.
Since the assassination of former head Shinzo Abe in 2022, the LDP leadership has faced pressure due to scandals, including one involving a slush fund. During a post-victory news conference, Takaichi emphasized the importance of demand-pull inflation, which she described as wage increases driving demand growth, leading to a gradual rise in prices and corporate profits.
Takaichi did not dismiss the possibility of visiting the controversial Yasukuni shrine again, a site that has historically caused diplomatic tension between Japan and its neighbors, especially South Korea and China. She remarked that such visits should not be turned into diplomatic issues and expressed her intent to foster an international environment of mutual respect for fallen soldiers.
Regarding international trade, Takaichi affirmed her commitment to upholding the US-Japan trade deal, including agreements on tariffs and investments. She stressed that Japan must stand firm if any unfair elements arise during the agreement's implementation process.
Takaichi described the LDP-Komeito coalition as fundamental and expressed a desire to reach mutual agreements with other parties on common ground.