Overview
- Takaichi defeated Shinjiro Koizumi 185–156 in a runoff after leading the first round 183–164 in the five-candidate Liberal Democratic Party election.
- In the runoff, LDP lawmakers narrowly backed Takaichi 149–145 and prefectural votes broke 36–11 in her favor, overcoming earlier signs that lawmakers leaned toward Koizumi.
- The lower house is expected to vote around October 15 to choose the next prime minister, with Takaichi favored but not guaranteed because the LDP-led coalition lost its majorities in both chambers.
- She is a conservative nationalist aligned with Shinzo Abe’s agenda, advocates aggressive state-led spending, has criticized recent Bank of Japan rate hikes, and has signaled she may seek changes to a U.S. investment deal.
- Early priorities include rebuilding public trust after funding scandals and a cost-of-living squeeze, securing opposition cooperation to pass legislation, and preparing for a reported late-October meeting with President Donald Trump.