How Japan’s new PM can confront the growing threat of war

Comment

Any leader chosen must own and learn from the nation’s dark past

If elected prime minister, new Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi, left, would become commander-in-chief of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. (Source photos by Sae Kamae and Marina Inoue)

HIROYUKI AKITA

October 18, 2025 13:43 JST

TOKYO — Sanae Takaichi, newly elected president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is one of the leading candidates to become Japan’s next prime minister, who will be chosen when the Diet convenes for an extraordinary session later this month.