LDP to elect new leader this Saturday, expected to become PM

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will choose a new leader in an internal vote Saturday, and that person is widely expected to become prime minister when parliament convenes in mid‑October to formally elect a successor to Shigeru Ishiba, party officials and sources said. Ishiba announced he would step down after the LDP suffered heavy losses in July's upper house election, leaving the ruling coalition without clear majorities in both chambers.

Party sources and a senior LDP official said the government is coordinating an extraordinary Diet session for around October 14 or 15, with a vote to elect the next prime minister expected on the first day and the new leader forming a Cabinet later that day. The schedule remains under discussion between the LDP and opposition Diet affairs chiefs; some opposition parties have sought an earlier session. The incoming leader is also expected to set dates for committee appearances and will travel to Malaysia for ASEAN meetings beginning around October 26.

Two front‑running candidates, Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and former internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi, top public opinion polls, followed by Chief Cabinet Secretary...