Overview

• The party will hold its leadership ballot on the afternoon of Oct. 4, and reporting indicates no candidate is set to clear a majority on the first round, making a top-two runoff likely.
• Agriculture minister Shinjirō Koizumi and former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi are leading, with chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi gaining as prefectural ballots are counted and undecided lawmakers loom large.
• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is arranging to attend Rengo’s Oct. 7–8 convention to spotlight his push for wage gains that outpace inflation, according to multiple accounts.
• The Japan Gymnastics Association announced retirements of rhythmic team leaders Ayuka Suzuki and Rinako Inaki and moved to mandate compliance training for strengthening‑staff following coaching concerns.
• Sports updates include Olympic figure‑skating quotas finalized in Beijing with Japan’s Nagaoka Yuna and Moriguchi Sumishi third, a first‑day presale sellout for November’s Kyushu sumo tournament for the first time since 1995, Hina Hayata’s doubles berth in a Beijing final, and the Dragons–Giants Farm Japan Championship on Oct. 4 with Rei’a Nakachi starting for Chunichi.