Sanae Takaichi, the only woman in Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership contest, pledged Monday to increase female representation in her cabinet to “Nordic” levels if elected, while also promising policies for peaceful coexistence with foreigners. Takaichi, 64, is vying to become Japan’s first female prime minister in the October 4 contest, which will determine the party leader and likely next prime minister. She emphasized that her appointments would surprise many, noting Japan’s current low female representation: only two women serve in the outgoing 20-member cabinet, and women make up around 15 percent of lower house lawmakers.
Fellow frontrunner Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, focused on economic issues, pledging to address high living costs and submit an “economic package” to parliament, while acknowledging public concerns over illegal foreign employment and social friction. Other candidates include Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Takayuki Kobayashi, who have all promised reforms including younger, more gender-balanced cabinets. Analysts warn the LDP must appeal to younger voters and adapt to political shifts as it faces challenges from rising anti-immigration and new parties, with the winner becoming Japan’s fifth prime minister in five years.
