Japan may see its first female leader: Nation to have 5th Prime Minister in just five years

The winner of the LDP presidential race will automatically become the country’s next prime minister after a parliamentary vote.

Five candidates are in the fray, but the contest has narrowed to two front-runners, former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

A Kyodo News survey released Sunday shows Takaichi leading with 34.4% support, while Koizumi follows with 29.3%.

If elected, Takaichi will become Japan’s first female prime minister. If Koizumi wins, he will be the youngest PM at age 45.

LDP lawmakers and party members will vote on October 4. If no candidate secures a majority (51%) in the first round, a run-off will be held between the top two contenders. The winner will be nominated in parliament and formally sworn in as prime minister.

Shigeru Ishiba, who became prime minister in September 2024, stepped down under pressure after consecutive electoral defeats.

·         In the October 2024 Lower House elections, the LDP-Komeito coalition lost its majority.

·         In the July 2025 Upper House elections, the party suffered another major defeat.

Party insiders accused Ishiba of being 'too liberal' for the LDP, pushing him to resign. He said he wanted to avoid a party split and 'give the new generation a chance'.

The five contenders

·         Sanae Takaichi 

·         Shinjiro Koizumi 

·         Yoshimasa Hayashi 

·         Toshimitsu Motegi 

·         Takayuki Kobayashi