Overview

• Takaichi, 64, defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff that counted votes from party members, supporters and lawmakers.
• She is the first woman to lead the Liberal Democratic Party and is expected to face a mid-October Diet vote that could make her Japan’s first woman prime minister.
• Internal voting highlighted a divide, with Takaichi favored by the party base and Koizumi more popular among parliamentarians.
• The LDP’s transition follows July elections that cost the party its majorities in both chambers and led to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation.
• A conservative aligned with the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage, seeks constitutional changes to expand the military’s role, advocates closer ties with Taiwan, and has pledged to appoint more women to senior posts.