Overview

• Sanae Takaichi won the Liberal Democratic Party leadership, defeating Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a second-round vote of lawmakers and party members.
• The party lost its absolute majority in both chambers in July, leaving her to steer a weakened organization that still holds a relative lead.
• Local reports point to a mid-October parliamentary vote to select the next prime minister, with a fragmented opposition making her election likely.
• Takaichi signals tougher positions on defense, economic security and immigration, and has suggested reopening tariff talks with the United States.
• Backed by Abe-aligned conservatives and linked to nationalist groups such as Nippon Kaigi, she steps in as Japan faces aging demographics, heavy public debt and tense relations with China.