On Saturday, the ruling party in Japan elected former Minister of Economic Security Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, significantly boosting her chances of becoming the first woman prime minister in the country’s history.
In a country where gender equality is not always highly regarded by world standards, Takaichi could enter history as the first female leader of the long-standing conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has led Japan for decades. She is considered one of the party’s most conservative members.
In the final round she edged out Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former popular prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, in the party’s internal vote.
Takaichi will become the party’s leader, replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as the LDP seeks to restore public support and maintain influence after a string of election defeats.
The likelihood that she will become the next prime minister is rising, as the party remains the largest faction in the lower house, from which government appointments depend, while opposition forces are fragmented.
Background and expectations for the new leader
The LDP, which over the past year has suffered a string of defeats in parliamentary elections and is now in the minority in both chambers, seeks to elect a leader capable of quickly responding to internal and external challenges and building cooperation with key opposition forces to implement the party’s policies.
Five candidates contested the presidency of the LDP: two of them currently hold government posts, and three are former ministers.
Saturday’s vote encompassed only 295 LDP lawmakers and about a million contributing members – roughly 1% of the country’s population. A parliamentary vote is expected in mid-October.
The LDP could also face a diplomatic test: a possible summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, who may demand higher defense spending. Reports say the meeting is planned for late October, and the APEC summit in South Korea will begin on October 31.
Additionally, the party may seek support from the opposition to broaden the coalition along the lines of the moderate centrist Komeito and join at least one of the key opposition forces.
All five candidates described themselves as “moderately conservative” to demonstrate their willingness to work with the opposition.
They advocated measures to curb rising prices, significant wage increases, strengthening defense and the economy, and tougher measures on foreign workers, while refraining from divisive liberal topics such as gender equality and LGBTQ rights.
Experts say that avoiding discussion of historical issues, same-sex marriages, and other controversial topics could undermine voters’ trust in the party, creating doubts about its ability to win back public support.
Earlier polls pointed to Koizumi, Takaichi, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi as the favorites ahead of the internal party vote.
Two other candidates – Trade Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Economy Minister Takayaki Kobayashi – were considered less likely contenders. If Koizumi were to win, he could become the youngest prime minister in more than a century.
Further steps will include a parliamentary vote and a possible diplomatic test for the new LDP leader in the coming weeks.
AloJapan.com