A vote to choose Japan ’s next prime minister went to a runoff on Saturday, as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party narrowed its choice between Sanae Takaichi, who could become the country’s first female leader, and Shinjiro Koizumi , its youngest contender in modern times.

The Liberal Democratic Party will select either hardline nationalist Sanae Takaichi, 64, or the telegenic political scion Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, to regain trust from a public angered by rising prices and drawn to opposition groups promising big stimulus and clampdowns on foreigners.

The runoff is expected to conclude around 0630 GMT.

A vote in parliament to choose a prime minister to replace Shigeru Ishiba is expected to be held on Oct. 15.

The new LDP president is likely to succeed Ishiba as leader of the world’s

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