Overview

• LDP members chose the 64-year-old in a runoff over Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Oct. 4.
• A parliamentary vote on Oct. 15 is expected to select Shigeru Ishiba’s successor, with the coalition’s majority making her the favorite after recent setbacks under his leadership.
• A close ally of the late Shinzo Abe, she backs larger public spending and loose monetary policy and has criticized recent Bank of Japan rate hikes.
• Her visits to Yasukuni Shrine and push to revise the pacifist constitution signal a tougher security posture, drawing praise from Taiwan’s president and potential friction with China and South Korea.
• An Okasan Securities strategist said her victory lowers the odds of a BOJ rate increase this month, as she also signals a review of a U.S. investment deal with President Donald Trump and received congratulations from the U.S. ambassador.