Overview

• Sanae Takaichi, elected LDP leader on October 4, is expected to seek confirmation as Japan’s first female prime minister in mid‑October, but the vote is uncertain since the LDP lacks majorities in both chambers.
• She has moved quickly to shape a lineup, with Japanese media reporting she offered posts to rivals and that Toshimitsu Motegi is widely tipped to return as foreign minister.
• Additional reported possibilities include Minoru Kihara as chief cabinet secretary and Taro Aso in a senior party role, with portfolios also floated for Shinjiro Koizumi, Takayuki Kobayashi and Yoshimasa Hayashi.
• Takaichi backs a defense buildup and was the only LDP leadership candidate to question strict adherence to Japan’s three non‑nuclear principles in an Asahi questionnaire.
• On Russia, she supports maintaining sanctions and is subject to a lifetime entry ban, while senior LDP lawmaker Muneo Suzuki told RIA he expects bilateral ties to improve and called Motegi a balanced choice.