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4d ago

Takaichi Wins LDP Leadership as Coalition Strains, Poised to Be Japan’s First Woman PM

She must secure support from a wary Komeito before a mid-October Diet vote.

Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), gestures as she leaves the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), poses in the party leader's office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. Conservative Sanae Takaichi hailed a "new era" on October 4 after winning the leadership of Japan's ruling party, putting her on course to become the country's first woman prime minister. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Sanae Takaichi, the newly elected leader of Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), holds a press conference after the LDP presidential election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. Yuichi Yamazaki/Pool via REUTERS
U.S. Dollar and Japan Yen notes are seen in this June 22, 2017 illustration photo. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration

Overview

  • Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi defeated Shinjiro Koizumi in a runoff for LDP leader, winning 149 lawmaker votes and 36 prefectural votes to his 145 and 11.
  • Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito warned there is no continuation of the 26-year coalition unless Takaichi drops hardline positions, as power broker Taro Aso courted the Democratic Party for the People and Takaichi prepared to unveil party posts on Tuesday.
  • Parliament is expected to convene in mid-October to select the next prime minister, and Takaichi needs a working majority despite the LDP lacking control of both chambers.
  • A Kyodo poll found 68.4% of respondents have high expectations for Takaichi, though 77.5% oppose appointing lawmakers tied to the LDP’s slush fund scandal to senior posts.
  • Echoing Abenomics, she has proposed tax cuts and higher spending and signaled she will honor the recent tariffs-and-investment arrangement with the United States, with a potential Trump summit later this month shaping an early diplomatic test.