LDP Presidential Race: Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi Consolidate Top Positions... "Expectations for Reform"

Yomiuri Survey Shows Takaichi at 29%, Koizumi at 25% in Preference... Other Candidates Below 10%

Contrasting Demographics and Backgrounds... Different Postures Since Ishiba Cabinet's Inauguration

Two main candidates for the LDP presidential election (Tokyo Kyodo=Yonhap News) Sanae Takaichi, former minister in charge of economic security (left), and Shinjiro Koizumi, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, who are forming a two-horse race in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election. 2025.9.15 photo@yna.co.kr

In the race to succeed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Sanae Takaichi, former minister in charge of economic security, and Shinjiro Koizumi, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, are emerging as frontrunners, solidifying a two-horse race for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidency.

Recent preference polls for the next party president show only Takaichi and Koizumi exceeding 20%, leaving other candidates far behind. Both candidates ranked second and third, respectively, in last year's presidential election.

According to a telephone survey conducted by the Yomiuri Shimbun from September 13-14 among 1,043 voters, when asked to select a suitable candidate for the LDP presidency to be elected on October 4, Sanae Takaichi ranked first with 29%, the newspaper reported on September 15.

Shinjiro Koizumi came in second with 25%.

When the survey was limited to LDP supporters, Koizumi ranked first with 33% and Takaichi second with 28%.

Other candidates, including Toshimitsu Motegi, former LDP Secretary-General; Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary; and Takayuki Kobayashi, former minister in charge of economic security, all received less than 10% of the vote among both the general respondents and LDP supporters.

A previous Kyodo News survey conducted from September 11-12 among 1,040 respondents also showed Takaichi and Koizumi forming a two-horse race with 28.0% and 22.5% support, respectively. Minister Hayashi was third with 11.4%.

Takaichi and Koizumi present significant contrasts in age, gender, and background.

Takaichi, 60s, is a female non-hereditary politician. Born in Nara Prefecture in western Honshu, she studied at the "Matsushita Institute of Government and Management," a political training institution, and worked as a TV presenter before entering the Diet in 1993, representing a constituency in Nara Prefecture.

Known for her strong conservative stance and alignment with the political line of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she is also referred to as "Abe's female counterpart." She has regularly paid respects at Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines Class-A war criminals from World War II.

In contrast, Koizumi, 40s, is a male hereditary politician. As the second son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, he inherited his father's constituency in Kanagawa Prefecture in eastern Honshu and entered the Diet in 2009.

In last year's presidential election, he also showed progressive tendencies on some policies, advocating for the introduction of a selective married name system that allows couples to use different surnames.

However, Koizumi also paid respects at Yasukuni Shrine on Japan's Victory Day on August 15.

The two have also shown different approaches since the inauguration of the Ishiba cabinet.

Takaichi has maintained distance from Prime Minister Ishiba and engaged in speaking tours and other activities in regional areas to garner support from conservatives.

Koizumi briefly served as the LDP's election campaign committee chairman in the Ishiba administration and was appointed minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in May, where he spearheaded policies related to declining rice prices.

[GRAPHIC] 5 candidates for LDP presidential election (Kyodo=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jae-yoon = Local media reported on the 13th that five people are likely to run in the LDP presidential election to be held on October 4.

yoon2@yna.co.kr

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In the Yomiuri survey, supporters of both Takaichi and Koizumi cited a desire for reform as their primary reason for support.

For Takaichi, the reasons for suitability as the next president were ranked as "will for reform" (85%), "policy expectations" (74%), and "national vision" (73%).

For Koizumi, the rankings were "will for reform" (89%), "message delivery" (88%), and "personal character" (84%).

The Yomiuri noted that "approximately three weeks remain until the presidential election" and that there have been instances in the past where speculation was overturned, and the political landscape could change depending on debates.

The LDP president is not elected by the public but by LDP lawmakers and party members.

In Japan's parliamentary system, the leader of the majority party typically becomes prime minister, and the LDP is currently the largest party. Therefore, a change in the LDP president signifies a change in prime minister.

Although the current situation is a minority government, the opposition parties are effectively divided, making it highly probable that the new LDP president will become prime minister.

The election of the prime minister in parliament is expected to occur within days of the LDP presidential election.

Meanwhile, in the Yomiuri survey, 64% of respondents assessed Prime Minister Ishiba's resignation as justified. Furthermore, 55% responded that they "do not evaluate" the performance of the Ishiba cabinet. Yonhap News