In Tokyo, Yonhap News correspondent Park Sang-hyun reports that Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is set to become Japan’s first female prime minister on the 21st. Takaichi is expected to be elected as the new prime minister, succeeding Shigeru Ishiba, following a prime minister designation election at the extraordinary Diet session happening that afternoon.
Takaichi, who won the LDP leadership election on the 4th, faced a crisis when the Komeito party, which had been in coalition with the LDP for 26 years, broke away. However, she reached a new coalition agreement with the Japan Restoration Party, the second-largest opposition party, the previous day.
The prime minister designation election occurs in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. If the results differ, the House of Representatives’ vote takes precedence. If a candidate receives a majority in the first vote of the House of Representatives, they are effectively elected. If not, the top two candidates proceed to a runoff where a majority is not required; whoever receives more votes becomes prime minister.
The LDP and Japan Restoration Party hold 196 and 35 seats in the House of Representatives, respectively, falling two short of the 233 majority. However, four independent lawmakers are considering voting for Takaichi, potentially deciding the outcome in the first vote, according to Kyodo News.
Upon confirmation of her election, Takaichi will become the 104th prime minister since Hirobumi Ito, Japan’s first, after the country’s introduction of the cabinet system in 1885. Takaichi will then conduct a formal inauguration, receiving appointment from the Emperor and holding a cabinet recognition ceremony before officially launching her new cabinet.
Minoru Kihara, former defense minister, is expected to be appointed Chief Cabinet Secretary, while Toshimitsu Motegi, former LDP secretary-general, is anticipated to become foreign minister. Takaichi also plans to include Shinjiro Koizumi, who ran in the LDP leadership race, and Yoshimasa Hayashi in her cabinet, with Koizumi considered for defense minister and Hayashi for the interior minister position.
Kyodo News reports Takaichi emphasizes “all-round commitment and collective effort across all generations” in her staffing policy, with expectations of appointing young people and women as ministers.
Additionally, there is focus on whether any lawmakers involved in the LDP’s ‘slush fund scandal’ might be appointed as ministers. Although Komeito retains the transport minister position, the Japan Restoration Party has opted not to join the cabinet even if participating in the coalition. Such “extracurricular cooperation” means less responsibility for governance and weaker cooperative ties.
If unresolved issues arise without bipartisan agreement, there is potential for the Japan Restoration Party to withhold cooperation from the government or LDP, according to the Nikkei.
Analysts predict that the policies pursued by the Takaichi cabinet will become more discernibly conservative, given the LDP’s break from the centrist Komeito and alliance with the hardline conservative Japan Restoration Party.
Following her appointment, Takaichi is expected to formulate measures to address inflation and engage in diplomatic activities, such as meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju.