Japan: Sanae Takaichi wins ruling party leader race, set to become first female PM on Oct 15

Tokyo, Oct 4, 2025

Japan’s former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi was elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a vote on Saturday. She is set to become the first female Prime Minister of Japan on October 15.

Takaichi received 185 votes, while Koizumi garnered 156 in a runoff after none of the five candidates in the party leadership race secured a majority in the initial round of voting, according to local media reports.

In the first round of the election, Takaichi secured the lead with a total of 183 votes, which included 64 from party lawmakers and 119 from rank-and-file members. Koizumi followed closely behind with 164 votes, comprised of 80 from party lawmakers and 84 from rank-and-file members, country’s leading newspaper, The Japan Times, reporte