Who might be JapanÕs next PM?

JapanÕs ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to elect its
new leader following Shigeru IshibaÕs resignation, with the winner
almost certain to become prime minister

SANAE TAKAICHI, 64
Former minister
for economic
security

Party veteran
ran against
Ishiba in
2024 LDP
leadership
race but lost
in runoff vote

Staunch conservative stands out
for her vocal opposition to Bank of
JapanÕs interest rate hikes and her
calls to ramp up spending to boost
fragile economy

SHINJIRO KOIZUMI, 44
Agriculture
minister

Son of popular
former PM
Junichiro
Koizumi
finished third
in 2024 LDP
leadership
contest

Fresh-faced reformer rose to
prominence in IshibaÕs government
for tackling soaring rice prices.
Would be JapanÕs youngest PM
of modern era if elected

TAKAYUKI KOBAYASHI, 50
Former minister
for economic
security

LDP member
was longshot
to assume
leadership
of party in
2024, ranking
fifth in vote

Cabinet minister under former PM
Fumio Kishida appeals to LDPÕs
more conservative faction, with
proposals such as revising JapanÕs
constitution

YOSHIMASA HAYASHI, 64
Chief cabinet
secretary

Government
spokesperson
and one of
IshibaÕs closest
aides would
be continuity
candidate
for LDP

Has held a variety of portfolios,
including defence, foreign affairs
and agriculture, often being called
upon to serve as replacement for
short-lived ministers

Sources: BBC, Bloomberg, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images
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