The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has entered a period of acute uncertainty following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation on 7 September, less than a year after he assumed office. His departure, triggered by mounting intraparty pressure after a series of electoral defeats, has set the stage for a full-scale leadership contest that will test the party’s ability to regain public trust and rebuild parliamentary stability.

The upcoming race will not only determine Ishiba’s successor but also shape how the LDP approaches cooperation with opposition forces, as it no longer holds a majority in either chamber of the Diet. Early contenders include Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, former Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, and other senior figures. Koizumi and Takaichi have quickly emerged as frontrunners, though factional maneuvering, coalition dynamics, and grassroots engagement are set to play decisive roles.

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