Overview

• Sanae Takaichi, 64, formally announced her candidacy and pledged large state investment and a “tax credit with cash benefits” to revive growth.
• She outlined funding for AI, semiconductors and batteries, coupled with household tax relief, corporate childcare incentives, nuclear restarts and a new agency to screen foreign investment.
• Official campaigning starts Monday, with voting on Oct. 4 to choose the Liberal Democratic Party’s next president after Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation following election losses.
• Rivals include Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and former minister Takayuki Kobayashi, with Taro Kono endorsing Koizumi.
• Party heavyweights Taro Aso and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are positioned to influence the outcome if the race goes to a runoff.