Koizumi Leads in LDP poll

Anadolu Agency

Japanese conservative politician Sanae Takaichi on Thursday announced her candidacy for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a move that could make her the country’s first female prime minister, Kyodo News reported.

A former Minister of Internal Affairs and close ally of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi revealed her bid during a meeting with LDP supreme adviser and former Prime Minister Taro Aso. She stated that politics is needed to turn concerns about life and the future into hope. Takaichi is scheduled to outline her policies at a press conference on Friday.

Takaichi is considered one of the main contenders in the party election on 4 October. Farm Minister Shinjiro Koizumi currently leads in polls with 23.8% support, while Takaichi follows with 21%.

Other expected candidates include Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi.

The LDP leadership vote was originally scheduled for 2027, but was brought forward after former leader Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation following his coalition’s defeat in the July upper house election. Ishiba will remain prime minister until a new leader is chosen.

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