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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Ap Correspondent

Japan’s next leader may be its first woman as LDP seeks change

LDP Japan Shigeru Ishiba Shinjiro Koizumi Sanae Takaichi Yoshimasa Hayashi Junichiro Koizumi Komeito Liberal Democratic Party Democratic Party
Shigeru Ishiba, Japan's Prime Minister and president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), places a red paper rose on the name of an elected candidate at the LDP headquarters, on the day of Upper House election, in Tokyo, Japan July 20, 2025. Franck Robichon/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo - (via REUTERS)

Japan stands on the cusp of a potentially historic political shift, with Saturday's vote for the ruling party's new leader set to usher in either the nation's first woman prime minister or its youngest in the modern era.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election sees conservative nationalist Sanae Takaichi, 64, and her more moderate rival, Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, as the leading contenders. Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, 64, is also polling as a potential candidate among the five vying to replace Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is stepping down after recent electoral defeats.

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