Editorial

15:00 JST, October 5, 2025

Will the election of a new president mark the dawn of a new era for the Liberal Democratic Party? The ruling party appears to have chosen to aim for an approach that can carry out bold reforms by overhauling its greatly slackened nature.

However, the domestic and foreign policy challenges awaiting the LDP’s first female president are more serious than ever before. Can she broadly unite the forces within the party and revitalize the LDP? Her success or failure in steering the party could also have a significant impact on Japan’s future.

Former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new president of the LDP.

As the opposition parties have been unable to unite on a joint candidate for prime minister, Takaichi is highly likely to be chosen as prime minister during the extraordinary session of the Diet expected to convene in the middle of this month. This will mark the emergence of Japan’s first female prime minister, in the nation’s 104th Cabinet.

Takaichi topped the first round of voting in the LDP presidential election. She garnered the most votes from rank-and-file members and members of LDP-affiliated organizations, but was behind Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi in votes from party lawmakers.

As Koizumi secured the most votes from lawmakers in the first round, he was seen as the favorite in the runoff. However, Takaichi ultimately surpassed Koizumi in the lawmakers’ votes as well. Lawmakers likely prioritized the wishes of rank-and-file........

© The Japan News