Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has chosen former economic security minister Sanae Takaichi as its new president, paving the way for her to become the country's first female prime minister.
Takaichi, 64, was on 4 October elected as the first ever female leader in the LDP's 70-year history, defeating other four male candidates. Takaichi won 185 votes, followed by agriculture minister Shinjiro Koizumi, son of former premier Junichiro Koizumi, with 156 votes in the runoff election.
Takaichi is likely to succeed outgoing prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, although she still needs to secure majority votes at an extraordinary diet session, which is widely reported to be held on 15 October, to lead a cabinet office. The LDP and its long-standing coalition partner Komeito currently lack a majority in both houses of parliament.
Takaichi, who holds a conservative political position, is looking to expand the coalition, stressing that the partnership with Komeito remains a basic framework. She plans to hold talks with Komeito and opposition leaders as early as possible to share her political views and establish common ground in areas including tax, the constitutional amendments, diplomacy, security and fiscal policies. She also pledged to take immediate action to tackle surging consumer prices, including gasoline tax cuts that have been repeatedly requested by opposition parties.
Political challenges
But Takaichi faces challenges in expanding the coalition prior to the next parliament session. The LDP is unlikely to unite with the largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ). The party will remain at the political centre and will remain vigilent in preventing the LDP's possible biased behaviour, CDPJ leader Yoshihiko Noda said after the LDP election, although the CDPJ is co-operating with the Ishiba government to advance some measures against inflation.
The rightwing populist Sanseito party has already declared it will not form a coalition with the LDP, although it will support any policies that have national benefits, leader Sohei Kamiya said on 5 October. Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, is prepared to discuss a possible coalition if asked by the LDP, representative Hirofumi Yoshimura said. Both parties must agree on basic ideas and policies, including Ishin's vision for Osaka as the second capital and social security, Ishin emphasised. But Komeito has some reservations against the second capital plan.
The democratic party for the people, or Kokumin, is ready to have an in-depth discussion with the LDP, given Takaichi has some common policies with the party, said Kokumin leader Yuichiro Tamaki. Takaichi's energy plan is also close to Kokumin's energy policy, he added.
Takaichi is pushing for the development of next-generation nuclear reactors, while restarting existing reactors with safety and local consent as priorities. She aims to install the next-generation innovative reactors in the late 2020s near data centres and industrial parks and utilise a fusion reactor in the mid-2030s, she said before the election. Takaichi is also promoting perovskite solar cells first developed by Japan, in opposition of further installation of foreign-made solar panels.
