The race for Japan’s new prime minister is heating up, with three frontrunners emerging ahead of the leadership contest on September 27.
Among the nine candidates vying to succeed Fumio Kishida as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Sanae Takaichi, Shigeru Ishiba, and Shinjiro Koizumi are leading the polls.
The LDP’s majority in parliament means that the party’s chosen leader is almost certain to become the next prime minister, with the official election set for October 1.
While each candidate has their strengths, Koizumi could become Japan’s youngest-ever premier, Takaichi the first woman leader, and Ishiba a veteran with strong party support.
The new leader will inherit challenges like scandals, rising prices, and low ratings from Kishida, who announced his resignation last month.
With Japan’s political future hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on the upcoming leadership contest and the subsequent parliamentary election.