![Candidates pose for a group photo before the Liberal Democratic Party Presidential Election Candidate Debate in Tokyo, Japan, on September 24, 2025 [Jia Haocheng/Pool via Reuters]](https://cdn.businessday.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Untitled-design-2025-10-04T094202.781-1.png)
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect a new leader today, setting the stage for the country’s fifth prime minister in as many years after the resignation of Shigeru Ishiba.
The vote comes at a turbulent moment for the conservative party, which has governed Japan almost continuously since the 1950s but is now reeling from election losses, corruption scandals and a frustrated public weary of economic stagnation.
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After losing its parliamentary majority in last year’s lower house elections – and suffering another setback in July’s upper house vote – the LDP has been forced to govern as a weakened minority. Ishiba’s decision last month to step down opened a race that could shape the direction of Japanese politics for years to come.
Whoever takes the helm will inherit a nation grappling with the rising cost of living, growing populist sentiment and the fallout from Donald Trump, United States president trade war.
Shinjiro Koizumi
At 44, Shinjiro Koizumi is the youngest and one of the most recognisable faces in the race. The son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, he has long been seen as a potential future leader.
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As agriculture minister, Koizumi gained popularity earlier this year for his handling of Japan’s “rice crisis,” when soaring prices hit consumers. His pragmatic response boosted his public profile and earned him backing from much of the LDP establishment.
A moderate by temperament, Koizumi has promised to reform the tax system, cut public debt and promote growth while maintaining fiscal discipline. Yet his relatively young age and less prestigious academic background – he studied at Kanto Gakuin University and Columbia University – may count against him in a party where pedigree still matters.
Sanae Takaichi
Sanae Takaichi, 64, is the only woman in the race and a prominent figure on the LDP’s right wing. A protégé of the late prime minister Shinzo Abe, she shares many of his conservative instincts.
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A former economic security minister, Takaichi advocates a revival of “Abenomics” – the mix of monetary easing, fiscal stimulus and structural reform that defined Abe’s era. She has also taken hard-line positions on immigration, same-sex marriage and relations with China.
Yoshimasa Hayashi
Another contender, Yoshimasa Hayashi, 64, is regarded as the “dark horse” of the race. Currently serving as chief cabinet secretary, Hayashi has previously led the defence and foreign ministries and is known for his calm, consensus-driven style.
He is campaigning on fiscal prudence and foreign policy continuity, arguing that Japan must deepen cooperation with “like-minded democracies” to counter China, Russia and North Korea.
Toshimitsu Motegi
At 69, Toshimitsu Motegi is the most senior of the five contenders. A former foreign and economy minister, he brings decades of political experience and a reputation as a skilled negotiator.
Motegi’s platform focuses on tackling inflation, cutting fuel prices and raising wages for care workers. His economic proposals fall somewhere between Koizumi’s fiscal restraint and Takaichi’s spending-heavy conservatism.
Takayuki Kobayashi
The youngest after Koizumi, Takayuki Kobayashi, 50, represents the LDP’s next generation. A former economic security minister, he is known for his intelligence and international outlook.
Kobayashi has campaigned on easing the cost of living and boosting growth through innovation. However, analysts say his youth and limited experience may hinder his chances.
