Race to become Japan’s prime minister

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan is to elect its new leader following Yoshihide Suga’s decision to step down. The successful candidate will lead the world’s third-largest economy

 
TARO KONO, 58
Administrative reform minister
Fluent English speaker and social media-savvy vaccine chief, backed by Suga and seen as front-runner
Aims to banish Japan’s fax- and paper-based bureaucracy. Wants to drive growth through digitalization and overhaul energy policy to achieve 2050 carbon-neutrality

FUMIO KISHIDA, 64
Former foreign minister
Seen as safe, predictable choice to become prime minister despite low public profile
Pledges to reduce income gap – worsened by pandemic – through redistribution of wealth and reining in neoliberal policies of Suga’s predecessor, Shinzo Abe

SANAE TAKAICHI, 60
Former internal affairs minister
Backed by former PM Shinzo Abe, but does not belong to any faction and has little party support
Staunch conservative pledges to continue Abe’s pro-growth economic policies. Opposes apologies for Japan’s wartime past and reform of traditional gender roles

SEIKO NODA, 61
Former internal affairs minister
Considered long shot but her impact may make it harder for one candidate to win majority in first round
One of Japan’s most prominent female politicians, known for her work on women’s issues, particularly after giving birth at age 50 through in vitro fertilization
 

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, FT 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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