Overview

• The 64-year-old defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff by 185 to 156 after no candidate secured a first-round majority.
• By convention the governing party leader becomes prime minister, with the Diet scheduled to choose the next premier on 15 October.
• The LDP–Komeito alliance lost its Upper House majority in July and now runs a minority government, increasing reliance on partners or ad hoc backing.
• Takaichi, a confidante of the late Shinzo Abe, favors expansive fiscal and monetary policy, a harder line on China, tighter immigration rules, and has visited Yasukuni Shrine.
• Her ascent follows Shigeru Ishiba’s September resignation after election setbacks, as the party grapples with public anger over living costs and pressure from right‑wing rivals such as Sanseito.