(Adnkronos) – Sanae Takaichi promises a government with more women and a “peaceful” coexistence with foreigners, while Shinjiro Koizumi focuses on the economy and social security. The race for the leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which will designate the next Japanese prime minister on October 4, is being played out between the two favorite candidates: the conservative Takaichi, who could become the first woman to lead Japan, and the reformist Koizumi, a 44-year-old rising star in Japanese politics.
In presenting her candidacy, Takaichi surprised with her unusually progressive tones: “Our government and the party’s executive committee will include women in a proportion comparable to the Nordic countries,” declared the 64-year-old former food safety minister in Shinzo Abe’s government, also announcing policies to support parenting and women’s health. At the same time, she addressed the issue of immigration, stating that Japan will have to “live peacefully together with foreigners”, while avoiding overly clear openings that could fuel social tensions.
Koizumi, on the other hand, has placed the economic revival and support for families affected by the high cost of living at the center of his campaign. “My priority is to respond to the urgent concerns of people struggling with high prices and difficult conditions,” he said, promising a new package of fiscal measures and public investments. The Minister of Agriculture also highlighted the risks linked to the irregular employment of foreigners and the safety of local communities, while maintaining a moderate profile on the most divisive issues.
The political context remains uncertain: the LDP has lost its majority in both houses and whoever wins the leadership will have to seek the support of smaller parties. Polls by the main Japanese media suggest a head-to-head race: Takaichi is popular among the more conservative (although her recent “progressive” turn could change the cards on the table); while Koizumi can count on the votes of the party’s historical supporters. For analysts, the challenge between Takaichi and Koizumi is not only about their personal ambitions, but the very survival of a party that has governed Japan for almost seventy years and that today must regain consensus in an increasingly fragmented electorate.
