Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will hold its leadership contest on Friday, with a record nine candidates vying for the position. The race is expected to be highly unpredictable, potentially leading to Japan's youngest or first female premier, or a veteran politician securing a fifth term.
FILE PHOTO: Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File photo
Polls suggest three candidates have the edge in a record nine-strong field: ex-environment minister and heir to a political dynastyWhoever is chosen must quell anger at home over rising living costs and navigate a volatile security environment in East Asia fuelled by an increasingly assertive China and nuclear-armed North Korea.
If no candidate secures a simple majority - which is anticipated due to the wide field - a run-off poll follows between the two candidates with the most votes. While the influence of party elders will still play a role, most of these factions were recently disbanded following a scandal over unrecorded political donations, making this vote harder to predict, say analysts.
Ishiba, by contrast, has proved popular among the rank-and-file but has courted controversy with his peers for going against the grain and challenging previous leaders, and has failed in four previous leadership bids. He has said he will not run again.
Japan Liberal Democratic Party Leadership Election Fumio Kishida Koizumi Ishiba Takaichi
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