Japan stands on the cusp of a political transition that could redefine its domestic trajectory and international standing. With Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stepping down after historic electoral defeats, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faces its most consequential leadership election in decades. The outcome on October 4 will not only determine the next Prime Minister, but also signal whether the LDP can reinvent itself after years of scandal, electoral setbacks, and eroding public trust.

In early September, Ishiba declared his resignation after the LDP’s majority was shattered in both chambers. This was a first since the founding of the party in the 1950s, prompting factions within the party to demand accountability. Ishiba delayed his resignation until after securing a critical t

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