Who Might Be Japan's Next Leader?

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba steps down after election losses, opening the door for a new leader. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has lost its majority, creating a rare opportunity for an opposition candidate to lead the world's fourth-largest economy.

Potential Candidates

Ruling Party (LDP)

Sanae Takaichi

• Age: 64
• Key Traits: Conservative, strong stance on revising Japan's pacifist constitution
• Notable Actions: Visits to the controversial Yasukuni shrine, opposes Bank of Japan's interest rate hikes
• Economic Policy: Advocates for increased government spending

Shinjiro Koizumi

• Age: 44
• Key Traits: Young reformer, comes from a well-known political family
• Notable Actions: Served as agriculture minister, controlled rising rice prices
• Unique Views: Described climate policy as needing to be "cool" and "sexy"
• Economic Policy: Views on Bank of Japan remain unclear

Yoshimasa Hayashi

• Age: 64
• Key Traits: Experienced, former chief cabinet secretary
• Notable Actions: Supported Bank of Japan's independence on monetary policy
• International Experience: Studied at Harvard, worked in the U.S.

Opposition Parties

Yoshihiko Noda

• Age: 68
• Party: Constitutional Democratic Party
• Key Traits: Fiscal hawk, former prime minister (2011-2012)
• Notable Actions: Pushed for a consumption tax hike
• Recent Proposals: Temporary cut to consumption tax for food items, phase out Bank of Japan's stimulus

Yuichiro Tamaki

• Age: 56
• Party: Democratic Party for the People
• Key Traits: Former finance ministry bureaucrat, party is growing fast
• Economic Policy: Advocates for increasing take-home pay through tax exemptions, cutting consumption tax
• Other Views: Supports boosting defence capabilities, constructing more nuclear power plants, cautious about phasing out Bank of Japan stimulus