Takaichi and Koizumi head to runoff in LDP leadership race

A Takaichi win would put Japan on track for its first female prime minister. If Koizumi is elected, he would become the second-youngest prime minister in the country’s history.

Candidates were vying for a total of 590 votes. Incumbent party lawmakers have one vote each, for a total of 295 votes. Votes from about 916,000 rank-and-file members were proportionally assigned to 295 votes.

Unlike last year’s race, the policies of the five candidates were harder to differentiate this time around. All stayed away from controversial topics to avoid losing votes from party lawmakers, whose support will make a bigger difference in a runoff.

Leaving room for policy negotiations with opposition parties for a possible expansion of the ruling coalition was also seen as another factor for the lack of distinction in the candidates’ platforms.

An extraordinary session of the Diet — as Japan’s parliament is formally known — to elect a prime minister is expected to be convened in mid-October.

Although the LDP-Komeito coalition doesn’t have a majority in both chambers of parliament, its pick for prime minister is expected to be elected, with opposition parties being unable to rally behind a candidate of their own.

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